The Spices Board has ruled out setting up a separate board for chilli, saying that such a move is not the solution to ensuring better prices for the commodity.
Setting up another board for chilli is not the solution. There have been demands for setting up chilli board but it is parochial, Spices Board deputy director (publicity) Sreekantan Thampi told PTI.
Creation of a separate board would only increase overhead expenses and no purpose would be served by it, he said.
Chilli farmers, mainly in Andhra Pradesh, have been hit by low prices for their commodity this season. The prices have mainly declined on increased production.
Farmers in Andhra Pradesh opted to raise production this year following good prices they received last year. During 1995-96, chilli also topped the export basket in spices for the first time outwitting king of spices pepper.
However, in 1996-97 pepper regained its top position.
It is natural for prices to decline when there is a surplus production, the official said that adding new avenues would have to be found for increased offtake of the commodity.
Offering better quality chilli devoid of infestation and aflatoxin could help improve the prices, especially in international market, Thampi said.
An encouraging trend for chilli farmers was the increasing number of units coming up in the country using the commodity as a raw material.
Pharmaceuticals are now using chilli as curatives. Besides various other uses have been found including for colouring, he said.
India enjoyed the advantage of growing about 40 varieties of chilli possessing different properties, which could cater to any market in the world.
The international market is complicated with pungent, smell, colour, boldness and roundness besides various other aspects being taken into consideration, the official said. The strategy of the Spices Board to help growers realise better prices was to increase exports. (PTI)
A separate board for chilli, the demand for which is parochial according to Spices Board chief, would not serve the desired purpose of ensuring a better price for the commodity and may result in increased overhead expenses.
