Three-day Dry Chilli Mela begins in Hubballi

The three-day Annual Dry Chilli Mela began at the Moorusavir Mutt High School in Hubballi on Friday, with over 80 chilli-growing farmers participating in the event which is aimed at providing direct market to the growers without the involvement of middlemen.

The 14th edition of the event is organised by the Karnataka State Spices Development Board (KSSDB) in association with Horticulture Department, the Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Amarashiva Farmers’ Producer Company, Sanshi (Kundgol), and Uluva Yogi Farmers’ Producer Company.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the mela, along with MLA for Kundagol M.R. Patil, MLA for Navalgund N.H. Konaraddi urged farmers to cultivate new crop varieties and take the lead in cultivating commercial crops to improve their livelihoods.

Mr. Konaraddi said Byadgi chillies were cultivated across Navalgund, Naragund, Gadag, Kundgol and Bagalkot regions and noted that the Horticulture University in Bagalkot had developed new varieties. He stressed that these improved varieties should reach farmers and that government support, including subsidies and fair prices, was essential to make chilli cultivation exportoriented.

Pointing out that chilli cultivation required significant investment and that the area under dry chilli was shrinking, Mr. Konaraddi said farmers should be encouraged to grow crops suited to local climatic conditions.

Mr. Patil said farmers needed assured markets for chilli produce and called for greater promotion of Byadgi chilli varieties. He also emphasised the need to educate farmers about improved varieties and suitable cultivation practices.

Managing Director of KSSDB B.R. Girish, General Manager Ramachandra Madiwal, Joint Director of Horticulture Kashinath Bhadrannavar, Senior Assistant Director Ajitkumar Mashaldi and other officials were present.

Different varieties

At the mela, farmers from nearby villages were selling different varieties of chillies such as Byadgi dabbi, Byadgi kaddi and other varieties which are priced between ₹350 and ₹700 per kg.

Officials said the reduced participation was attributed mainly to the price rise, as many farmers chose to sell their produce directly in bulk from their farms instead of coming to the event, they said.

Gudusabh of Nulvi village, who has been participating in the festival every year to sell his chillies, said he was selling two varieties and said that the last year he didn’t make much profit and he was positive this year because of the location.

Another farmer, Rafiq Halyal of Kubihal village, said he had brought five varieties, including local kaddi, Guntur, dabbi and double-D chillies, priced between ₹350 and ₹550 per kg and said that event like these were of a greater help to them since many people visit the festival.