Chilli time for Punjab farmers
A well-known market for chillies before and even after partition Bhikhiwind and Kalra town in the newly formed district Tarn Taran has been a strong hub for the sale of both green and red chillies.
By Madhvi Sally, TNN |
CHANDIGARH: Chillies, both green and dried have become the important component of the Punjabi routine diet. With the acreage under cultivation increasing in Punjab the farmers now want to have processing units, which manufacture apart from the usual chilli powder, medicines for the heart, cosmetics, chilli oleoresin to name a few.
Though Punjab does not fall under the major chilli growing state the government, framers and scientists have been encouraging to increase the area. According to Horticulture director Dr Kubir Singh, in 2007-08 the, area under chilli cultivation was going to increase. “We are targeting to cover 2,000-2,500 hectares more under chilli cultivation from the current 9,882 hectares. The area would be largely in the Bhikhiwind Khalra area in Tarn Taran district and Shahakot in the Jallandhar district,” he said.
The state boast of farmers such as Manmohan Singh Sandhu of Hodla Kalan village in the Mansa known as the chilli king who is providing saplings for transplantation in 150 acres across Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan. Proudly stating that the agriculture minister of Rajasthan was using the chilli seedling for his farm, Sandhu said that after running the chilli nursery it was time to start working with the government to have a processing unit. “The concept would be new in the region, but it will be very profitable to the farmers and the investor,” he said while adding that if the projects were delayed farmers would move to Bt Cotton cultivation.
Preparing seed of CH-1, a hybrid chilli variety Sandhu considers chilli cultivation more viable than cotton. “Farmers are able to get 100 quintals of red ripe fruit yield and 200 quintals of green fruit yield from one acre and able to earn Rs 60,000 to 90,000 per acre, compared to BT cotton which is 40,000- RS 50,000 per acre,” Mr Sandhu said.
It is not only money, but also the opportunity to sell to foreign countries which progressive farmers in the state are exploiting. Sukhpal Bhullar of Ghuman Kalan village in Bathinda district has for the first time grown chillies on an experimental basis for UK based Spansost Limited in the Malwa belt. “ We are looking for further orders during the Royal Agr Show to be held in England in July this year,” said Mr Bhullar.
A well-known market for chillies before and even after partition Bhikhiwind and Kalra town in the newly formed district Tarn Taran has been a strong hub for the sale of both green and red chillies.
Though Punjab does not fall under the major chilli growing state the government, framers and scientists have been encouraging to increase the area. According to Horticulture director Dr Kubir Singh, in 2007-08 the, area under chilli cultivation was going to increase. “We are targeting to cover 2,000-2,500 hectares more under chilli cultivation from the current 9,882 hectares. The area would be largely in the Bhikhiwind Khalra area in Tarn Taran district and Shahakot in the Jallandhar district,” he said.
The state boast of farmers such as Manmohan Singh Sandhu of Hodla Kalan village in the Mansa known as the chilli king who is providing saplings for transplantation in 150 acres across Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan. Proudly stating that the agriculture minister of Rajasthan was using the chilli seedling for his farm, Sandhu said that after running the chilli nursery it was time to start working with the government to have a processing unit. “The concept would be new in the region, but it will be very profitable to the farmers and the investor,” he said while adding that if the projects were delayed farmers would move to Bt Cotton cultivation.
Preparing seed of CH-1, a hybrid chilli variety Sandhu considers chilli cultivation more viable than cotton. “Farmers are able to get 100 quintals of red ripe fruit yield and 200 quintals of green fruit yield from one acre and able to earn Rs 60,000 to 90,000 per acre, compared to BT cotton which is 40,000- RS 50,000 per acre,” Mr Sandhu said.
It is not only money, but also the opportunity to sell to foreign countries which progressive farmers in the state are exploiting. Sukhpal Bhullar of Ghuman Kalan village in Bathinda district has for the first time grown chillies on an experimental basis for UK based Spansost Limited in the Malwa belt. “ We are looking for further orders during the Royal Agr Show to be held in England in July this year,” said Mr Bhullar.
A well-known market for chillies before and even after partition Bhikhiwind and Kalra town in the newly formed district Tarn Taran has been a strong hub for the sale of both green and red chillies.
ADVERTISEMENT
Too busy to trade in stocks? Invest in Mutual Funds with ET Money!
Bookmark or read stories offline -
Download ET Markets APP
Download ET Markets APP
ADVERTISEMENT
