Nepal pilots innovative geo-environmental traceability for large cardamom

Nepal – A joint mission to Nepal’s eastern hills in early April marked a significant step towards strengthening the value chain of large cardamom in the country. A delegation from FAO, the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGSNRR-CAS), and national partners visited the Ilam district to pilot the Geographical Indications for Environment and Sustainability (GIES) certification of large cardamom, the special agricultural product of Nepal under FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative and Four Better Model Village Initiative. 

The pilot aims to support environmentally sustainable production, strengthen digital traceability and enhance market access for large cardamom in Nepal — bringing scientific expertise, government leadership, and grassroots energy together. 

Large cardamom is a globally recognized spice which holds immense potential for climate-smart livelihoods, value-added exports, and premium international markets. However, the sector faces challenges, including declining productivity, environmental stress, and a lack of traceability that limits its competitiveness and value addition.

This introduction to the GIES technology is expected to address these constraints by promoting sustainable practices and supporting producers to meet international quality standards. Through science, technology, and international collaboration, Nepal plans to position itself as a leader in traceable, evidence-based, and eco-certified agriculture — unlocking new markets and higher incomes for farmers.

“GIES certification is a transformative opportunity; it’s not just about meeting standards — it’s about elevating Nepalese products to access premium international markets, expanding trade potential, and bringing more resources to rural producers,” says Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Bhutan and Nepal.

A visit to the Large Cardamom Development Center in Fikkal, Nepal. ©FAO

Leveraging science and innovation for large cardamom 

 A mission highlight was a visit to the Large Cardamom Development Center in Fikkal, where a state-of-the-art tissue culture lab is pioneering meristem technology to produce disease-free, high-yield saplings at scale. Supported by the FAO OCOP Initiative, the center is driving a revolution in planting material — equipping farmers with healthier crops and greater resilience.

“The implementation of GIES is a milestone for us,” shares Rajan Pariyar, Director of the Cardamom Development Center. “It validates our efforts and accelerates our work to improve planting quality, scale up production, and build a globally competitive cardamom sector.”

GIES introduces a cutting-edge system where every bag of Nepalese large cardamom can be traced back to its origin via a QR code—giving consumers confidence in its production environmental integrity, quality, and authenticity.

Led by IGSNRR-CAS in partnership with Nepal’s government and research institutions, GIES brings real-time monitoring, open science technologies, and digital traceability into the agricultural value chain — anchoring sustainability from production to marketing and trade. 

“I am thrilled to see GIES take root in Nepal,” says Professor Chuang Liu of IGSNRR-CAS. “This is science in action — directly empowering farmers, ensuring sustainable practices, and building global consumer trust in Nepalese products.” 

 

Government-led, community-driven: A collective commitment

At a multi-stakeholder consultation, local officials, cooperatives, and farmers expressed strong enthusiasm for GIES certification. The Mayor of Rong Municipality pledged municipal support, recognizing GIES as a lever to expand market access, raise incomes, and position Ilam on the global agricultural map.

As part of the mission, the team collected 18 soil and 6 water samples across diverse elevations in Ilam and Suryodaya. These critical data points will serve as the scientific baseline for certifying environmental sustainability under GIES, aligning production with both market demands and ecological stewardship.

Members of the joint delegation in Illam District during the mission. ©FAO

A model for sustainable agrifood systems 

This pioneering effort exemplifies FAO’s Four Betters —Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life. It shows how government leadership, global partnerships, and local innovation can converge to transform agrifood systems. With FAO’s support, Nepal has made strong progress in developing the large cardamom value chain through OCOP, while also leveraging synergies with the Hand-in-Hand Initiative and national programmes.

“We’re not just certifying a product — we’re certifying a system that’s sustainable, traceable, and market-ready,” reflects Xuan Li, Senior Policy Officer for FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. “Through GIES and OCOP, Nepal is poised to shine globally bringing recognition, resilience, and rewards back to its farmers.”

As Ilam advances towards becoming Nepal’s first GIES-certified model village, it sets a bold precedent for scaling sustainable, transparent agrifood systems across Nepal — turning local potential into global impact.