PALPA, AUG 12 -
Chilli has become one of the most lucrative cash crops in Chidipani VDC of Palpa district.
Last year alone, local farmers earned more than Rs 10 million selling chillies. There are about a dozen households each selling chillies worth Rs 300,000 every year.
Farmers associated with the Bhanjyang Pokhari Agriculture Cooperative have been involved in chilli farming for the last three years. “As the income from chilli farming is better compared to other crops, almost all farmers are now associated with it,” said Dev Bahadur Kunwar Magar, a local farmer, adding that it was difficult to start, but everyone got attracted latter.
According to the District Agriculture Development Office (DADO) of Palpa, farmers of the region started commercial farming last year. DADO helped farmers form groups and build a collection centre. Farmers said although the price was not as good as last year’s, they were still able to make a good profit this year. During monsoon, chilli fetches around Rs 30 to 90 per kg.
More than 100 villagers associated with the cooperative are cultivating chilli of NS 1701 verity. A single plant of this variety produces up to 2 kg of chillies. According to Tharka Bahadur GC, crop development officer at DADO, about 1,000 saplings can be planted on a ropani of land. Some farmers are even leasing land for chilli farming.
Rita Saru Magar, chairman of a women group, said farmers have understood finally the importance of cash crops. “We have plans to brand our village as ‘chilli village’,” she said. “We are ready to work hard for it.”
Earlier, farmers used to cultivate maize and other crops, but the income was not satisfactory. “That is why we shifted to chilli farming,” said Saru Magar, another farmer.
Also, as other crops need irrigation and the village lacks proper irrigation facility, farmers were force to look for other profitable alternatives. “With maize cultivation, we were struggling to have two meals a day,” said local Purna Bahadur. “Now everybody has realized that a lot can change within a year.”
The credit for this change goes to Kunwar Magar who pioneered chilli farming in the village. Palpa DAO Chief Mahendra Kaudel said they are committed to help farmers develop the village as the model for chilli farming. “We have been assisting them with seeds, fertilisers and irrigation, among others,” said Kaudel.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/08/12/business/farmers-minting-money-from-red-hot-chilli/358639/
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