Khammam selected for chilli processing units

Adilabad: The state government is planning to provide a market for various farm produce by developing processing units for farm produce.

As part of it, Khammam district was selected for the chilli pilot project scheme to provide demand for the produce being raised in the district. Chilli farmers have staged dharnas often in protest against the falling prices of the produce.

This happens in Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal, Nizamabad and Adilabad markets.

The handcuffing of chilli farmers in the Khammam agricultural market damaged the prestige of government.

Experts were asked to research why such incidents were happening. The price of chilli falls when supply is more. Setting up or encouraging processing units and cold storages for chilli will be an answer to the price falling and other issues.

Chilli is being raised over 60,000 acres in the district. The chilli variety being cultivated in Sattupalli, Penuballi and Vemsoor has a lot of demand as it is used in mango and other pickles. The variety is being raised over 40,00 acres in the three mandals and about 63,000 quintals of produce is the yields every year.

It is planned to encourage such a variety by promoting processing units. If the produce is powdered and packed, there will be a demand always for it.

Many supermarkets are selling chilli powder packets under various brand names. If farmers come into contact with these companies, it may be possible to set up processing units in the district.

Farmers were asked not to go for cheap varieties and raise good varieties that have demand in the market. Further, government extends 40 per cent subsidy to set up cold storage units to store the produce.