Distribution of Cash Crops of Nepal

Cash crops are crops grown mainly for sale and cash income rather than for home consumption. In Nepal, the major cash crops are sugarcane, jute, tea, tobacco, cotton, oilseeds (mustard, sunflower), potato, ginger, cardamom and fruits such as citrus, apple and banana. Their distribution is controlled by relief, climate (temperature and rainfall), soil and market/transport facilities. The map of Nepal shows the following pattern:

1. Sugarcane: Grown in the Terai belt — Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Banke, Bardiya and Kailali. It needs high temperature (20°–30°C), heavy rainfall (100–150 cm) and fertile alluvial soil. It is concentrated near sugar mills (e.g., Bhrikuti, Indu Shankar, Everest).

2. Jute: The eastern Terai — Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha and Mahottari. It requires hot, humid climate (25°–35°C) and 150–200 cm rainfall. It is the "golden fibre" used for sacks, ropes and carpets.

3. Tea: The eastern hills, especially Ilam, Jhapa, Dhankuta, Panchthar and Terhathum. It needs cool climate (10°–20°C), 150–250 cm rainfall, well-drained sloped land and acidic soil. Ilam is the leading tea-producing district.

4. Cotton: Grown in the western Terai — Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur and Dang. It needs high temperature (20°–30°C) and moderate rainfall (50–100 cm).

5. Tobacco: Grown in the Terai — Jhapa, Morang, Saptari, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat and Banke. It needs warm climate and sandy loam soil.

6. Oilseeds (mustard, sunflower, linseed): Mustard is grown widely in the Terai and inner Terai (Jhapa, Morang, Saptari, Bara, Parsa, Rupandehi, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali). Sunflower is grown in the Terai and mid-hills (Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu).

7. Potato: Grown in mid-hills and Terai — Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Lalitpur, Ilam, Okhaldhunga and Jhapa. It needs cool climate and loamy soil.

8. Ginger: Grown in the mid-hills — Ilam, Panchthar, Salyan, Palpa, Gulmi, Pyuthan and Nawalparasi. It needs warm, humid climate and well-drained soil.

9. Cardamom (large): Grown in the eastern hills — Taplejung, Ilam, Panchthar, Sankhuwasabha and Terhathum. It needs cool, moist climate and forest shade. Nepal is a leading exporter of large cardamom.

10. Fruits:

• Citrus (orange, lemon): mid-hills — Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Dhading, Kaski, Syangja, Gulmi, Dailekh.
• Apple: high hills — Mustang, Manang, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Dolpa.
• Banana: Terai — Jhapa, Morang, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu.

Conclusion: The map shows that cash crops are concentrated in the Terai and eastern hills, while the high Himalayan region grows very few cash crops due to cold climate and poor transport. The Terai dominates in sugarcane, jute and cotton; the eastern hills in tea and cardamom; the mid-hills in ginger, potato and citrus; and the high hills in apple. This distribution reflects Nepal's agro-climatic diversity and the influence of market and transport facilities on commercial farming.