Tamil Nadu government offers subsidies to boost chilli production

Dharmapuri, Feb 1 (ANI): Chilli farmers in Tamil Nadu are set to gain profit on the back of state government subsidies.

Apart from cash subsidies, the horticulture department in the state's Dharmapuri District has introduced training programmes, enabling farmers to learn new and more efficient planting and irrigation techniques.

The scheme seems to be paying dividends as one farmer in the district's Pennagaram block expects to make around 60, 000 rupees for every tonne of chillies he cultivates.

"I have planted chillies in one acre of land which should give me a return of around 50 to 60 bags. Each kilogram costs about 60 to 65 rupees and one tonne would be 60,000 rupees," said Samykannu.

The Assistant Director, of the horticulture department in Dharmapuri, S Mugundan, said the planting of hybrid seeds was being encouraged to boost the livelihood of farmers.

"Because the climate, as well as the soil, is good for farmers to get more yield, more farmers are planting chilli crops in the area. During June and July, chilli is cultivated in around 150 hectares in the Pennagaram block of the district. The farmers are used to high yields nowadays. The department is also promoting hybrids cultivated by farmers under the National Horticulture Mission," said Mugundan.

India can produce various types of chillies for local as well as international consumption.

Indian chilli exports are in great demand following shortage of supply from major producers like China and Pakistan.

Indian chillies are exported to the United States, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Middle East. (ANI)