Naga King Chilli faces market heat from interstate competition

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• A Naga King Chilli farm owned by Ipungba Cerai in Old Tesen village, Peren district.
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• DIMAPUR — Every year, as summer approaches, markets across Nagaland burst into fiery red with mounds of Naga King Chilli—a globally recognised and locally relished spice.
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• Certified by the Guinness World Records in 2006 for its heat and awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008, this chilli has long been a point of pride for the state.
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• However, an increasing influx of similar-looking chillies from Arunachal Pradesh and Assam is posing a serious challenge to local farmers.
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• Currently, markets in Dimapur and Kohima are flooded with King Chilli, but much of it, according to vendors, is sourced from neighbouring states.

A Naga King Chilli vendor waits for customers at a market in Dimapur.

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• The authentic Raja Mircha from Nagaland typically enters the market around July and is available until October or November.
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• Yet, in April itself, chillies sold in markets are being labelled as King Chilli, with most vendors claiming they are from Arunachal Pradesh or Assam—available at much lower prices ranging from INR 200 to INR 250 per kg.
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• In contrast, the Nagaland-grown variety usually fetches between INR 400 and INR 500 per kg at peak season.
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• A visit to the markets here reveals that these chillies are transported daily by night buses, and vendors often buy them in bulk—20 to 30 kilograms per delivery.
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• One of the vendors said that they make the purchase at INR 200 for one kilo.

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• On May 17, the Dimapur Municipal Council’s price chart confirmed a retail price of INR 410 per kg for King Chilli; the wholesale rate was pegged at INR 350 per kg.
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• Interestingly, Ipungba Cerai, a seasoned farmer from Old Tesen in Peren district, shared that he supplies to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Assam, although not on a regular basis.
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• Primarily, his chillies are meant for the local market.
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• He also disclosed exporting King Chilli to Hong Kong and the Maldives once.
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• According to him, planting begins in March, and the crop is harvested between July and August.
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• Depending on the yield, prices can range from INR 180 to as high as INR 800 per kg.
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• Weekly supplies to Dimapur can amount to 1,000 kilograms, which can earn a farmer at least INR 1.8 lakh per week, even at lower prices.
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• Cerai acknowledged that while King Chilli farming is lucrative, its perishable nature makes it difficult to meet interstate demands unless the produce is dried or frozen.
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• The cost of transportation and risk of spoilage are other deterrents for local farmers.
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• He also contested the vendors' claims, suggesting that many falsely label Assam-grown chillies as Arunachal produce to avoid customer concerns over the use of artificial fertilisers.
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• But he also clarified that unless lab-tested, it’s impossible to verify whether chemical fertilisers are used or not.
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• According to him, one of the key issues farmers face is lack of access to food dehydrator machines, which would allow them to preserve large quantities of fresh chillies and meet market demands beyond the harvest window.
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• Neizonuo Thevo, another King Chilli farmer from Seiyhama village and an organiser of the annual ‘Organic King Chilli Festival’, noted that their produce rarely leaves Kohima district due to high local demand.
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• In her village, chillies are sold either per kilogram (INR 350–400) or per tin (3–3.5 kg) at INR 1,500.
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• Buyers, often non-Nagas, collect large quantities—up to 120 tins at a time—directly from the village.
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• Like many in her community, Thevo maintained that King Chilli is a supplementary income, with farmers also cultivating other crops.
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• While they rarely suffer losses, occasional poor yields are attributed to factors like plant disease or improper growth conditions.
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• Supporting the views of local farmers is Senti Longchar, a District Horticulture Officer (DHO) from Kiphire, who has spent nearly a decade studying the crop.
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• Longchar is also the composer of the tribute song “Chaiberachi”, released ten years ago in honour of King Chilli farmers.
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• His fascination with the chilli stems from its unique aroma, vibrant colour, and specific environmental needs. “It doesn’t grow randomly like other crops. It requires semi-shade, a moderate climate, rich soil, and proper nutrition,” he explained.
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• Longchar rejected claims that other states produce more or spicier chillies, stating that such assumptions can only be verified through scientific testing using the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) method at laboratories like the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru.
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• He also revealed that years ago, he had trained farmers in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya on King Chilli cultivation techniques, which may explain the growing supply from those states.
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• However, he maintained that Nagaland’s production remains higher.
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• According to him, King Chilli farming in Nagaland is most prevalent in Peren, Mon, and Kohima districts.
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• Yet, many farmers do not follow best agricultural practices, which can result in lower yields.
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• “For sustainable and profitable farming, they must adopt basic steps like proper soil preparation, manuring, sowing techniques, and ensuring partial shade. These small changes can greatly improve yield,” he maintained.
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• Despite the increasing market competition and logistical challenges, he was optimistic that with the right infrastructure and farmer support, Naga King Chilli can continue to thrive, maintaining its identity as not just a spice but as an economic lifeline for many.

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