A farmer plucks bhoot jolokia

Nov. 4: Farmers in Nagaon are all spiced up to cultivate the bhoot jolokia for the first time.

The commercial cultivation of the world’s hottest chilli is being taken up under a Rs 13-lakh project under the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the Northeast.

More than 200 farmers will be involved in the project.

“Till now the chilli was cultivated mainly for household use and only a few farmers laid stress on commercial cultivation. A new concept of cultivation may get going if the farmers are given financial, technical and market support,” said an official in the Nagaon agriculture department.

The official said the formation of farmers’ groups, preparation of training schedules and a field survey to find the viability of bhoot jolokia cultivation were over.

“The organised group of farmers will first be trained by experts. According to the project, each hectare of high land area would cost Rs 30,000, of which, Rs 13,000 will be released as assistance from the department and the remaining amount will be spent by the farmer,” he said.

“Generally 6,000 plants of bhoot jolokia can be cultivated on a hectare of land. If fertilisers, minerals and pesticides are properly used, one such plant could give up to 2.5kg of yield in a year. Its current market value per kg is above Rs 200,” said Guljar Hussain, a farmer of Rupahi.

The official said this would be a different experience for the farmers who are used to cultivating Assam lemon and other crops.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and the farmers should take it up with zeal. The department officials should also provide encouragement to the farmers,” the official added.

Biman Borua, a farmer from Deudhar, said, “The main problem in executing such a project is the lack of zeal among the departmental officials. Most of the projects do not go to the farmers’ doorstep, as a section of corrupt officials emphasise personal gain instead of inspiring the farmers. The government should make officials aware that cultivation cannot be remote-controlled from town and seeds for the needy farmers should not be misused.”

“Four crops will be covered under the technology mission and these include the Assam lemon on 150 hectares, potatoes on 500 hectares and broccoli and banana on 100 hectares each. We will receive money against the project soon and work will start thereafter,” the official said.

The district received Rs 1.27 crore under the technology mission last year.

The mission has been operational in all the districts of Assam since 2001-02.