FACE TO FACE with Ngathingkhui Jagoi Some people define a journalist as ‘a person who knows something of everything and everything of that something’. But the truth is that journalists don’t always know something of everything and conversing with people from different trades and fields at times brings this to an embarrassing fore. I have very little knowledge about microbiology, but I go to meet this young microbiologist, Y Marinus Ngullie, for a Face to Face conversation about his research on Naga King Chilli at the Bio-Control Lab, Nagaland University, SASRD Campus, Medziphema. In the process, I must admit I had a pretty tough time trying to make out some of the technical terms and terminologies he used as he explained about the economic prospects of the King Chilli. EXCERPTS:
EASTERN MIRROR: What prompted you to undertake this research?
MARINUS NGULLIE: As you know, Naga King Chilli (capsicum chinense jacq) also known as Naga mircha, has been considered as the world’s hottest chilli and entered in the Guinness Book of World Records beating the Mexican red habaneros. The hotness of Naga mircha measures 8,55,00 scoville units beating the Mexican red savanna habaneros which has 5,77,00. Another interesting point of the Naga chilli is that the Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) extract from the chilli is popularly used for controlling riots, crowd and self defence. So, Naga King Chilli is a powerful biological weapon. This is one interesting subject. Besides, I want to study the prospect of Naga farmers’ economy.
EM: Are you doing this in your own capacity?
MN: Actually, I have taken up this research under the Pathology Department, NU SASRD Medziphema. I have been working on it for the past four years, especially in disease management because it is very difficult to grow this chilli. We have covered Jalukie in Peren district and few areas where Raja mircha is grown in the State. Since last year, I have been carrying out experiments sponsored by Naga Fragrance Private Ltd, Dimapur.
EM: So, what are the peculiarities or speciality of this raja mircha according to your findings…
MN: As I have said earlier, this is the world’s hottest chilli which has incidentally been claimed by Assam. But it is none other than this Naga King chilli. Apart from its hotness, among the capsicum family this is a species which grows in high acidic soil and environment factors also trigger the level of hotness. According to my findings, the soil condition of Nagaland is most suitable for its cultivation.
EM: Do you meant to say that if it is grown in other parts of the world the level of its hotness and the quality will not be the same as those grown in Nagaland?
MN: Yes, if an artificial environment and soil condition is used, we cannot expect the quality we get here. For example, in England they are growing under a controlled environment to increase the penchantcy level.
EM: It learnt that England is claiming the patent rights of Raja mircha. How far is this true? Do you have any idea about it?
MN: Two years ago, Nagas filed for patenting rights, but so far I have not seen any document. I only read in the media that Nagaland now has the patent.
EM: Is there any chance of the patent being claimed or taken by others?
MN: No geographical conditions have proven that Raja mircha is best grown in this part of the region only. One instance, a US couple tried to claim the patent but it was hybrid. But that is a breeding right if you see the IPR of intellectual properties.
EM: Do you think extensive farming of raja mircha would boost the economy of the state?
MN: Sure. Our king chilli has a big demand around the world but the thing is we cannot meet the demand. In the past one year, I have been studying the export prospects. There is a big demand from countries like the US, England, Israel, Sweden, etc. These countries demand only organic and genuine raja mircha.
Look, for instance if a single Raja mircha costs $ 2 in the US, that means cultivation of this chilli can sustain the economy of Naga farmers in a big way. Yet, low production due to farmers’ lack of scientific knowledge of farming and preservation, things are not moving right for us. Raja mircha is a very delicate plant and very prone to diseases.
EM: What kind of agency(s) or company is taking care of exports presently?
MN: Naga Fragrance Private Ltd, Dimapur, is currently handling export of the product. We have also got some companies like Agro Tech in Jorhat, Assam and a few others.
EM: Stories of exploitation by companies cannot be written off. It is always there. In such an event, what will be the preventive steps? Can you highlight?
MN: The King chilli is grown in border areas of Assam. But they also could not produce in a big way to meet the export demands. So as of now, the companies in Assam also have tied up with us. And, like you said, exploitation of farmers is a worrying factor that should be carefully monitored.
As for Naga Fragrance Ltd, it is proposing to handle everything eventually. Installation of a big machinery involving multi crore rupees is under consideration. So export and farmers’ problems would be solved.
But lack of scientific knowledge in cultivation and drying process is the problem with our farmers. They dry raja mircha in the sun or over the fire, whereby quality and pungency is lost. If we dry over the fire, the smoke also becomes a cancerous agent. International buyers want the original quality. So there is a need for the farmers to develop a scientific method of drying and preserving so that the quality is maintained to the expectation of international buyers.
EM: Is Naga Fragrance Ltd providing seed money to farmers?
MN: No. Right now Naga Fragrance deals with only finished products. This year, I am handling a project for more than 200 farmers sponsored by NABARD. Each farmer will cultivate multi crops like maize and rice including raja mircha in not less than 1 bigha of land so that they can be benefited in three ways.
EM: Well, you have established the potential Naga King Chilli. Any other crops grown in Nagaland which can be a good source of income?
MN: Nagaland can be divided into four zones according to the altitude geographical locations. In all the four zones, there are a number of aromatic and medicinal plants and fruits, vegetables, etc, which can be cultivated for income of the rural populace. Nagaland is a hotspot of aromatic and medicinal plants which are in great demand the world over.
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