KATHMANDU: Nepal’s broom grass (Amliso) exports have been increasing over the past six years.
Data from the Department of Customs (DoC) shows that broom grass exports from Nepal have been rising since the fiscal year 2017/18. Nepal exported Rs 1.32 billion worth of broom grass in 2023/24, up from Rs 1.08 billion in the previous fiscal year.
In 2017/18, the country’s export receipts from broom grass were worth Rs 52 million. A majority of the exports went to India, followed by Bangladesh. Broom grass exports expanded nearly eightfold to Rs 405.73 million in 2018/19 and further to Rs 557.4 million in 2019/20. Likewise, exports increased to Rs 658.81 million in 2020/21 and Rs 699.8 million in 2021/22.
The DoC’s data shows that for the past two years, Nepali broom grass has been traded exclusively with India. Until three years ago, the product was also exported to Bangladesh in sizable quantities.
Dr. Hari Bahadur Karki, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, says diplomatic efforts are underway to resume broom grass exports to Bangladesh. Karki also mentioned that Nepal is exploring export potential for broom grass as well as tea in China.
Domestic demand for broom grass is also high. Broom grass is a multi-purpose plant. According to the World Wildlife Fund, besides stabilizing hillsides and serving as household brooms, its leaves provide fodder for livestock during the dry season, and people can burn the stalks as fuel or use broom grass as mulch to protect the soil.
According to Rajkumar Karki, the president of the Nepal Broom Association, the broom production industry is being overshadowed due to the government’s lack of priority for broom grass cultivation. Despite exporting broom grass worth over Rs 1.32 billion in the previous fiscal year, Karki laments the government’s apathy toward broom grass cultivation. “Broom grass must be sold in the same year it is produced. If it gets old, the quality deteriorates,” he added. “We will be at a huge loss if there is any disturbance in exports.”
The agriculture ministry lacks accurate data on broom grass production, cultivation area, and the number of farmers involved. Studies conducted by the association show annual broom grass production is above 180,000 tons. However, the Department of Customs data shows only about 14,000 tons of broom grass are exported annually.
According to the association, 15% of broom grass produced in the country is consumed in the domestic market.
Nepal exported 13,562 tons of broom grass in 2023/24, down from 13,978 tons in the previous fiscal year.
Broom grass is cultivated in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Khotang, Bhojpur, Terhathum, Jhapa, Sunsari, Sankhuwasabha, Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Nuwakot, Dhading, Lamjung, Syangja, and Palpa, among others.
According to Karki, over 100,000 farmers across the country are involved in broom grass production.
