Crash in price of green chilli worries farmers

The smell of green chilli spreads all over Shanivarasanthe. However, the green chilli has taken a beating with a slash in its price. The farmers are keeping their fingers crossed in this peak season of harvest and export.

Farmers in Kodagu have been cultivating green chilli as a summer crop after the harvesting of paddy. The income fetched from chilli helps the farmers to sustain their families during the monsoon.

Though the price of green chilli crashed in the first week of March, the farmers anticipated a better price in the days to come.

Last year, the Covid-19 pandemic had hit the chilli harvest hard. Following the crash in prices, farmers are in distress in rural areas.

The traders have started reaching out the door of the farmers to collect the crop at a low price.

Last year, traders had purchased chilli for Rs 13 to Rs 14 per kg. This year, Ulka variety of green chilli fetched Rs 26 per kg and Rambha, Priyanka, Rajani variety fetched Rs 24 per kg.

“Instead of allowing the chilli to rot, we are selling the crop at a lesser price rather than waiting for a better price,” said the farmers.

The shandy in Shanivarasanthe is known for selling green chilli. Traders from various parts of the state arrive to purchase chilli.

In fact, green chillies from the Shanivarasanthe shandy market are sent to markets in Mysuru, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru and other areas in Karnataka.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the traders from outside the district are not arriving in the shandy to purchase chilli.

Green chilli is cultivated on 300 to 400 acres of land in Shanivarasanthe hobli. It is a short term crop.

The recent rainfall also helped in cultivating chilli without the shortage of water. Many farmers resort to drip irrigation for the cultivation of green chilli.

K T Harish and Manu who had cultivated Ulka and Bajji variety of chilli on two acres of land at Koojageri, said, “We had cultivated 2,000 Bajji variety chilli on the farmland. However, a disease affected the crop. In spite of officials suggesting ways to overcome the pests, we could not overcome them. The crash in price has affected us.”

Even ginger and vegetables also failed to fetch a good price. There is no value for the hard work of the farmers, said Harish.