Chilli farming for Indian health and wealth

Abstract

India is the largest producer of dry chilli in the world with an acreage of 702,047 ha and annual production of 2049213 tonnes. India being the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter, contributes about 40% of total world’s production. Dry chilli contributes 31% among the total spice export from India with 557168 tonnes exported with an economic share of 8429.92 crore rupees. Indian dry chilli is majorly exported to China (Value of `3144.53 crores), followed by Thailand, Bangladesh, USA, Srilanka, Indonesia, UAE, Malaysia, UK and Vietnam. In India, the major dry chilli cultivated states are Andhra Pradesh (25.27%), Madhya Pradesh (17.40%), Telangana (12.69%) and Karnataka (12.19%), these four states accounts for 67.55% of total national cultivated area and of 87.62% of total production.