Chilli Farming In India: Its Cultivation Process and Market Value

In India, chilli farming is an important part of the agricultural industry. It is strong in flavour and colour, is widely used in Indian dishes, and has a high market value.

The diverse climatic condition of India makes India the biggest producer and exporter of chilli in the world. Chilli farming is profitable for most farmers in the country.

Chilli was introduced in India by Portuguese travellers in the middle of the 17th century, and since then, India has adopted the spice. It has medicinal properties, such as being an anti-cancer agent that prevents heart disease. Let’s learn more about the chilli farming practices and its market value in India below:

Cultivation Process of Chillis 

The cultivation process involves preparing the soil, harvesting it, and selling it on the market. Let’s learn more about it in detail:

Soil and Climate Requirements 

Chilli requires a warm and humid environment to grow properly. Therefore, the ideal environmental conditions for chilli growth are temperatures between 20°C to 30°C. It grows well in sandy loam or loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6-7.

Seed Selection

The selection of seeds is very important for the successful cultivation of chilli plants. They should prefer high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties suited to their areas. Before planting, seeds are treated with fungicides to control diseases in the soil. Sowing is usually carried out in the nursery beds, where seeds are sown at a slight depth and mulched over with a thin layer of soil. Watering should be done more frequently to enhance germination, which takes 7-10 days on average.

Soil Preparation

Another step that farmers must perform before planting is soil preparation. Farmers prepare the field by removing weeds and mixing organic manure to increase fertility. Preparing the soil can be a time-consuming job if done manually, but it can be done effectively with the help of machinery. For example, Mahindra 555 di power plus can help in effective soil preparation by allowing easy attachment of farm equipment. 

Moreover, its fuel tank capacity of 67 litres will enable farmers to work more hours on farms. Check out the  Mahindra 555 di power plus price and features to better understand the model better.

Sowing 

The seedlings are transplanted to the main field after 4-6 weeks, when they are about 10-15 cm tall with 4-5 leaves. Transplanting should be done gently to avoid damaging the young plants. It is recommended that plants should be placed about 45-60 cm apart from each other, and the rows should be about 60-75 cm apart. Space supplies enough air circulation and sunlight that is required in the growth process of plants.

Irrigation 

Chilli plant needs water and should be watered frequently, especially when the plant is still young. Nonetheless, over-watering poses a danger in the development of root rot and other related diseases. In this case, drip irrigation is effective, which ensures a correct distribution of water. Moreover, during flowering and fruiting time, it is important to water the plant sufficiently in order to produce healthy fruits.

Fertilization

Fertilization methods or organic manure, such as cow dung or compost, are good ways of fertilizing the soil. Nowadays, chemical application is important for the optimum production of chillies, and it requires a proper combination of nutrients. Farmers should use NPK fertilisers and dumb them down to appropriate proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Normally, the application rate is 60 kgs per hectare of Nitrogen, 30 kgs per hectare of Phosphorus & 30 kgs per hectare of Potassium. 

Pest Control

There are some diseases that affect the chilli crops, including aphids, thrips, and powdery mildew. Such problems can be managed using practices like Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Daily checks of the crop and the use of bio-pesticides such as neem oil would be effective in dealing with pests and diseases. At the same time, the recommended insecticides and fungicides could also be used to combat the pests and diseases respectively.

Harvesting 

Chillies are ready to harvest after 2-3 months of planting, depending on the variety of chilli. The chillies must be fully grown and red before they are harvested. Hand-picking is the best way to harvest chillies to ensure no damage to the produce. 

Pruning is done to promote more produce growth. Hence, appropriate picking will ensure that there is a yield of chillies in the particular season. Farmers use tractors to transport their produce from farms to storage houses and provide the proper care of it. If you are looking for a versatile mini tractor to manage transportation, then consider checking out Yuvraj Mini tractor. 

This tractor is very affordable, compact, and easy for farmers to operate. It offers a Rated RPM (r/min) of 2300 and a Hydraulics Lifting Capacity of 778 kg. So, if you are looking for mini tractors for uncompromised performance, then Mahindra Yuvraj can be your option.

Post- Harvesting

The next process after harvesting includes drying chillies to minimize moisture content and ensure the product has a long shelf life. Sun drying is the usual method used to spread chillies out on clean surfaces in thin layers. Drying should be done effectively to ensure that the chillies don’t lose colour, taste, or spice. After that, they are cleaned, sieved, sorted, and packed for marketing, depending on their destination, such as seeds or grain.

Market Value and Demand 

Chilli has a high market demand as it is used in the local and international markets in various ways, such as in cooking and other industries. India shares a substantial proportion of dried chillies, chilli powder, and oleoresin with the USA, China, and Southeast Asia.

Chillies are categorised according to their quality, type, and availability of stock in the market, which affects market prices. Farmers can boost their income through proper farming practices, getting crops at the right time and the right quality. Thus, government institutes also assist in caring for chilly farmers and increasing their income.

Conclusion

Chilli farming in India is, however, richly rewarding socially and economically. The market demand for these chillies is well-established throughout the regions, and farmers can earn good incomes from them. However, considering the rapid evolution of the chilli farming industry in India, it is an important part of the agriculture industry and contributes to India’s development. Also, you can get a tractor loan to buy a new tractor for farming.