Demand to set up Chilli Board in Khammam gaining momentum

The farmers associations feel that nothing much has been done by the Spices Board of India for chilli farmers as it focuses much on other spices. As a result, chilli farmers, when selling the produce, are at the mercy of traders, who are accused of exploiting the farmers in terms of offering a profitable price

Khammam: The demand for setting up Chilli Board in Khammam has been growing louder with farmers and farmers associations insisting that the Central government must look into the issue for the benefit of chilli farmers.

Chilli is now among the 52 spices under the purview of the Spices Board of India headquartered in Kochi, Kerala. It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the development and promotion of Indian spices worldwide.

But the farmers associations here feel that nothing much has been done by the board for chilli farmers as it focuses much on other spices. As a result, chilli farmers, when selling the produce, are at the mercy of traders, who are accused of exploiting the farmers in terms of offering a profitable price.

Speaking to Telangana Today, CPI (M) Telangana Rythu Sangham district secretary Bonthu Rambabu said that Khammam and surrounding districts have the largest extent of land under chilli cultivation in India. Chilli is cultivated in about two lakh acres in Khammam, Kothagudem, Suryapet, Mahabubabad in Telangana and neighboring NTR district in AP.

Setting up a dedicated Chilli Board could help for the prior estimation of the extent of land for chilli cultivation in accordance with the demand at national and international level for the produce. Similarly it helps in weather resistant seeds development, fixing of profitable price, proper market support and allocation funds, he explained.

He stated that as the chilli prices have been falling this year the government should ensure that the produce is purchased through National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and Telangana Co-operative Marketing Federation Limited (TG MARKFED).

Rambabu said that the yield has decreased due to pests’ infestation this year and with fall in prices farmers are dying by suicide. Nevertheless, the Central and State governments are not responding. The governments should fix a price of Rs 25,000 per quintal of chilli, he demanded.

CPI leader B Hemantha Rao said that this year, the price of chillies has fallen by half compared to last year while investments have doubled. Solution to the problem could be found only if Chilli Board is set up here adding that the support price should be fixed based on investment.