Home ›› 02 Sep 2021 ›› Nation
Naga chilli, one of the hottest chilli peppers in the world, has become boon for Moulvibazar farmers as they are not only getting a good yield but also exporting the spice after meeting the local demand.
Hundreds of farmers in the Dilbaranagarh, Mohajerabad, Bishamoni, Radhanagar and Daluchhara areas of Sreemangal upazila of the district are growing four varieties of the spice, namely Thai, Green, Yellow and Red.
The Naga chilli is a pepper that is native to Northeast India and Bangladesh. It is known as the sister chilli to the Bhut Jolokia or Ghost Chilli. Like many varieties of the Chinese species, the Naga chilli plant is a small-medium shrub with large leaves, small, five-petaled flowers, and blisteringly hot fruit.
Favourable weather condition, soil and the hilly areas of Moulvibazar are suitable for the natural growth of the spice, said the Department of Agricultural Extension sources.
Farmers of this district are growing this plant in their pineapple and lemon orchards following the intercropping method. They said that this year’s yield has been satisfactory.
Khorshed Alam, a farmer from the Dilbarangarh area of Sreemangal upazila, Moulvibazar, told The Business Post that he had secured a profit of Tk2,00,000 from his Tk62,000 investment this season.
“If tended properly, Naga chilli can prove to be one of the most profitable crops. I have been cultivating this spice for the last two years and it is bringing me profit,” he said.
He also said that he earned Tk3,25,000 from 1,500 Naga chilli saplings and planted 3,000 saplings this year.
Jalil Khan, another farmer from the Bishamoni area of Sreemangal, said following their footstep, many farmers, youth of the district are opting for Naga chilli cultivation after seeing the success.
“It is creating opportunities for the local youth. However, good amounts of the spice we harvest rots easily as there is no preservation or processing facilities in the district,” he told The Business Port.
“If the government assists this sector, Naga chilli can be proved as a boon for the country as it can add to the country’s export earnings if properly exported,” added the farmer.
Zia Haider Mithu, chairman of Easy Cook Food Processing Company Limited, and Ishaqul Hossain Sweet, director of Unifress Food & Beverage Company, told The Business Post that they export raw Naga chilli and its’ pickle is worth nearly Tk30 lakh to Tk 40 lakhs every year to the UK and other countries.
Ayan Ahmed, a storekeeper of Sreemangal upazila, said they are facing difficulties transporting the spice to different districts of the country and exporting it abroad for the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
“Adding with that, lack of preservation and processing facilities making it difficult for them to store their product for long,” he said.
Sreemangal Upazila Agriculture Officer Nilufar Yasmin Sweety said Sreemangal is one of the forerunner areas, which produces the highest amount of Naga chilli in the country.
This year, 1,200 tonnes of Naga chilli has been cultivated on 150 hectares of land in the district. Due to its good harvest, the chilli is being supplied to different districts of the country, including Dhaka, every day.
“We, along with the DAE, are co-operating with the farmers so that they can get a good production. We are also assisting the farmers in controlling the fungal diseases in their crops,” she added.
