Chilli

Chilli is a commercial crop grown in India. It is used in India as principle ingredient in Indian cuisine. Chilli is valued principally for its high pungency and colour. India is the world’s biggest producer, consumer and exporter of chili.

Though chilli is grown in almost all the States of India, mostly it is grown in Andhra Pradesh (46%), Karnataka (15%), Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Indian Chilli can be grown during the entire year in one or the other part of the country.

It grows on a wide variety of soils in tropical and sub-tropical climate with warm and humid weather condition. Though, Chilli is grown in different soils, black soils are suitable for rain fed crop while well drained soils, delta soils and sandy loams are better suited for irrigated crop.

Chilli is cultivated in India in both Kharif and Rabi crop seasons. Sowing of Chilli for the Kharif crop season takes place between July and August while for the Rabi season, Chilli is sown over October and November.

Origin and Distribution

Chilly is reported to be a native of South America and is widely distributed in all tropical and sub-tropical countries including India. It was first introduced in India by Portuguese towards the end of 15^th Century. Now it is grown all over the world except in colder parts.

Different Varieties of Chilli in India

Birds Eye Chilli (Dhani)

Grown in Mizoram & some areas of Manipur
Blood red in colour, highly pungent
Harvesting season – October to December

Byadagi (Kaddi)

Grown in Dharwar Karnataka
Red in colour with less pungency or without pungency
Harvesting season – January to May
Annual Production – 21,000 tonnes

Ellachipur Sannam – S4 Type

Grown in Amaravathi District of Maharashtra
Reddish in colour and very hot
Annual Production – 800 tonnes
Harvesting season – September to December

Guntur Sannam-S4 Type

Grown in Guntur, Warangal, Khammam Districts of Andhra Pradesh
Skin thick, hot and red
Harvesting season – December to May
Annual Production – 2,80,000 tonnes

Hindpur-S7

Grown in Hindpur in Andhra Pradesh
Red in colour,hot and highly pungent
Harvesting season – December to March

Jwala

Grown in Kheda, Mehsana & in South Gujarat
Highly pungent, light red in colour,short and the seeds are compact
Harvesting season – September to December

Kanthari – White

Grown in Kerala & some parts of Tamil Nadu
Short and ivory white in colour with high pungency

Kashmir Chilli

Grown in temperate regions such as Himachal Pradesh,Jammu & Kashmir and also in sub-tropical regions of North India during winter season
Long,fleshy,deep red in colour
Harvesting season – November to February

Madhya Pradesh G.T. Sannam

Grown in Indore, Malkapur Chikli and Elachpur areas of Madhya Pradesh
Red in colour and pungent
Harvesting season – January to March
Annual Production – 7500 tonnes

Soil for Chilli

Well drained loamy soils rich in organic matter with pH range 6.5-7.5.

Season of sowing

January – February
June – July
September- October

Weed control

Apply Pendimethalin 1.0 kg active ingredients. / ha or Fluchloralin 1.0 kg active ingredients / ha as pre-emergece herbicide followed by hand weeding once 30 days after planting.

Chillies and Peppers (Dry): All India Area and Production

	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
Area (Lakh Hectares)	7.52	7.80	6.26	7.02	6.78
Production (Million Tonnes)	2.15	1.74	1.83	2.04	1.87

Source: FAOSTAT

Chilli Exports From India

	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24*
Value (Rs. Crore)	6,994.01	9,400.05	9,011.86	10,773.59	8,910.05

*2023-2024 (April – January)

Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India
https://tradestat.commerce.gov.in

Crops