Can hen lay red eggs? Shivanagowda, however, replies to this question in the affirmative. When asked as to how it is possible, he pointed his fingers toward heaps of dried chillies in his courtyard. This is the magic created by Byadagi chillies overseas. Red oil (Oleoresin), a natural colour, is extracted from these chillies. When this colour is mixed with poultry feed, the eggs hatched will be red in colour!
It’s really a matter of great wonder as to how these chillies from Byadagi, a small village in Haveri district, are creating waves in foreign countries. Oleoresin is used in the preparation of nail enamel and lip colours too. It gives colour to red meat, which is a favourite among westerners.
Byadagi chilli, which is less spicy and is well-known for their deep red colour, is in great demand now. Since the preparation of Oleoresin, its demand from foreign countries has shot up. Byadagi village, which was earlier famous for its sale of chillies, has now seen a sudden spurt in the growth of cold storage units, wherein these chillies are stored so that they don't lose their colour. Also, several industries that produce Oleoresin have been started in the district, explains Shivanagowda, president of the Haveri District Industrial Body, and a chilli trader himself. He is also the owner of two cold storage units and a shareholder in the Oleoresin industry.
On a visit to a cold storage unit, one can experience shivering cold even in scorching summer, as the temperature within the unit is from 4 to 6 degree celsius. Storing Byadagi chillies in the cold storage not only preserves their natural colour, but also results in the extraction of more Oleoresin from these chillies. Only the required amount of chillies is taken out from the unit and sent to the industry for the preparation of Oleoresin. Nearly 30 to 40 per cent more Oleoresin can be extracted from the chillies stored in the cold unit. At present, chilli growers and traders can store their chillies at a cost of Rs 60 to 80 per bag, added Mr Shivanagowda.
Cold storage industry
The beginning of this industry can be traced back to 1993-94, when people from Andhra Pradesh introduced it in the region. In all, there are about 12 cold storage units in the district and two more are in the pipeline. The setting up of a cold storage unit costs about Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 3 crore. However, the National Horticulture Board is helping in the construction of cold storage units, by providing loans up to Rs 50 lakh.
In each cold storage unit, up to 80,000 to 1,00,000 bags of chillies, ginger and other agricultural products can be stored. The number of cold storage units functioning in the district are sufficient for the present chilli production. However, if more number of units are started in the region, it would only result in a loss for everybody. Moreover, the electricity bill of each cold storage unit runs up to Rs 1 lakh a month, added an informed Mr Shivanagowda Patil.
Oleoresin industry
Talking about the wonder colour, Mr Patil recounted how five years ago, if one had to see this colour, they had to travel all the way to Kerala. And a year ago, one had to go to Haveri to check this out. However, Byadagi itself boasts of it now. Four years ago, a synthetic company had started an industry to extract colour from chillies in Haveri. And now Kerala's Cancore Company has started a similar industry near Motebennur in Byadagi taluk.
Nearly 50 litres of Oleoresin can be extracted from one tonne of Byadagi chillies. It is then sent to Kerala, where the spicy elements in the colour are removed and are processed further before it is exported to other countries.
There is a great demand for Oleoresin abroad, especially in the US, Japan and European countries, explained Mr Kishan Kumar, a manager at one of the Oleoresin industries.
Along with Oleoresin, there are over 25 industries in Byadagi that grind chillies and send them to several masala manufacturers or repute like MDH and MTR.
Byadagi has now made a distinct name for itself in several related chilli based industries. Thus, the government and the local representatives should encourage these industries that provide employment to thousands of people.

Andhra workers, the backbone of cold
storage units...
A close bond exists between Byadagi and Andhra Pradesh. Just as Andhra Pradesh is famous for its Guntur chillies, Byadagi in Karnataka is famous for its brand of chillies. Every year, transactions up to Rs 300 crore happen at Byadagi. Fair price, immediate payment and accurate measures are some of the reasons why traders and farmers from all over the State and Andhra Pradesh, which is 400 km away, come to Byadagi chilli markets. Interestingly, hotels and brokers’ shops at Byadagi bear the name boards both in Kannada and Telugu. A testimony to the intermingling of people from two different states, their languages, culture and trade.
While workers in Karnataka do not have the skill required to construct cold storage units, workers from Andhra Pradesh, who have the required skills, come all the way from their home state to construct them. Moreover, localites refuse to work in such extreme weather conditions, unlike workers from the neighbouring state. These workers, who eke out a living by sheer hardwork, have set an example for localites to emulate.

Translated by
R S Ranjeetha Urs