SWOT Analysis of Large Cardamom in Ilam District, Nepal

Abstract

Large Cardamom is high value and low volume crops with highest export potential in Ilam as well as in Nepal. The district was selected purposively for the analysis of internal and external factors of production. The primary data were collected during February-July 2017. The strength as main internal factors of this crop were its high price and higher profit, high demand in international market, traditional knowledge and experience, less capital investment requirement for its cultivation, and generating rural women employments. However, the other internal factor as its weakness also was comprised of high price fluctuation, lack of improved knowledge on orchard management, lack of price information to farmers, low yield due to very old orchard and no certified variety as per the altitude domains. The analysis of external factors i.e. the opportunities of the crop were the establishment of essential oil extraction industry, development of variety according to the altitude, production and distribution of disease free saplings, conduction of research and development/training, and potentiality of land area expansion for cultivation. Similarly, the other external factor or threat of the crop included the declining productivity due to diseases, price fluctuation, lack of technical manpower, drying of irrigation water resources, and propagation from mother rhizomes. The crop was found very popular due to its better strengths and opportunities. Hence, government should be given special emphasis to overcome its weaknesses and threats through research and development program.