Chilli prices shoot up, bring joy to growers

Khammam: The prices of chilli, especially Delux Teja variety, have increased by Rs 1,000 here at various agricultural market yards in Khammam bringing cheers on the faces of growers. The prices had gone up by Rs 1,000 for the Delux Teja variety which is now being sold at Rs 9,500 per quintal at Madhira agricultural market yard.

According to Ramesh, a chilli trader, the rise in prices of Teja variety chilli was mostly due to strong demand in the spot market against tight supplies from producing belts and also due to its demand in overseas, when compared to other varieties which have mostly remained flat with little increase in price.

However, the Wyra Krushi Vignana Centre scientist, Dr G Hemant Kumar, after inspecting other varieties of chilli crop grown in Raghunathapalem mandal, warned the farmers of seasonal diseases that might affect the crops and asked them to follow the suggestions given by agricultural officers concerned in order to protect their crop from pests.

Meanwhile, the Warangal Region Joint Director of Marketing Department Uppala Srinivasa Rao who visited the Madhira agriculture market on the day said that the government was taking necessary steps for sanctioning loans to chilli farmers through Rythu Bandhu Pathakam (RBP).

He further added that under scheme, farmer would be sanctioned loans without charging interest for six months. “The farmers can store their produce in warehouses or in market yards until they get minimum support price by not falling victims to the middlemen,” he said.