Large cardamom production in Taplejung declined by 248 metric tons this year, even as cultivation expanded to 4,578 hectares. The Agriculture Knowledge Center reported total output of 2,291 metric tons, down from 2,539 last year due to prolonged drought. However, high market prices—reaching Rs 102,000 per 40 kilograms—helped farmers earn approximately Rs 5.49 billion. Although prices have recently eased to Rs 96,000, cardamom remains a major cash crop across 60 wards of the district.
