Three-day Dry Chilli Mela begins in Hubballi

The 14th Annual Dry Chilli Mela in Hubballi showcases over 80 farmers, promoting direct market access for their produce.

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.