New Delhi, 20 June (Commodities Control) – Area under chili is set to increase this kharif season as farmers are taking more interest in expanding its coverage in anticipation getting more profit as chili fetched good prices for last year, said a market analysts and big trader from Guntur of Andhra Pradesh who deals in chili. He has to say that chili acreage may rise by 10-20 percent this year as demand for seed has increased sharply.
Farmers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, the major chili growing states in the country are seen taking more interest in expanding chili crop area that’s why demand for seeds has increased.
However, the costlier seed is an issue as it will increase the input costs. The scarcity of good quality of dry chili is also a big reason for hikes in prices of the commodity, said a trade source.
The demand for hybrid chili seeds have increased and its most preferred varieties are Byadgi and hybrids which are considered as tolerant to the leaf curl virus that spoils the leaves of the chili and impacts the plants.
Vinay Kant, a Guntur based trader said that farmers are expanding the area of chili this year in anticipation of getting good prices of the crop and some of the farmers are also shifting from other crops to chili as they expect more profit in growing chili. The average yield of chili per acre is 20-45 quintal, if it fetches the price at Rs 100 per kg, a farmer can earn two to four lakh rupees per acre from cultivation of chili.
The spice market experts expect a fresh record of chili crop area this year. “Chili sowing has picked up this year and it may break the previous record of 8.59 lakh hectares in 2016-17 when its production was at 24.11 lakh tonnes.
As per the data from the Union Agriculture Ministry, chili acreage was at 7.43 lakh hectares in 2020-21 and production of dry chili is pegged at 19.14 lakh tonnes.
As per the trade sources, prices of chili seed have shot up over 20 percent this year. a common variety of seed costs Rs 25,000-40,000 per kg while premium variety of seed is available at Rs 1,25,000-,1,50,000 per kg. A packet of seed of 10gram costs Rs 1,200-1,500 and at least 100 gram seed is required for cultivation of chili in one acre of land.
This way, seed costs Rs, 12,000-15,000 per acre. The market experts said the scarcity of seed has been seen for the past two-three years, that’s why prices are higher.
The acreage of chili rose in 2020-21 as compared to corresponding previous year but excessive rains received in south India damaged the crops, that’s production was low.
However, farmers received good prices of chili this year. Teja variety of chili was priced at Rs 130-152 per kg, 341 variety of chili traded at Rs 125-150 and Byadgi at Rs 160-175 per kg.
Vinay Kant said prices are likely to increase further due to weak stocks and increased demand on ensuing festive demand.
Dry Chilli Acreage and Output
|
Year
|
Area (Lakh Ha)
|
Output Lakh MT
|
|
2020-21
|
7.43
|
19.14
|
|
2019-20
|
6.84
|
19.31
|
|
2018-19
|
7.8
|
17.43
|
|
2017-18
|
6.78
|
17.18
|
|
2016-17
|
8.59
|
24.11
|
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau: +91-22-40015505)
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