Upliftment through seedling production and value chain management of King Chilli (Umorok)

Dr Priyadarshini Salam *

Hathei Phanit (chilli festival) at Sirarakhong village , Ukhrul District in September 2017 :: Pix - Oken Sanasam

Mr. Takhelambam Annan Meitei of Nongdam village, Sawombung, Imphal East district of Manipur stated the cultivation of King Chilli in an open field but his income was not satisfactory.

The heavy rainfall is a detrimental factor for king chilli and it affects the growth and development leading to a poor fruit set as well as rotting of the fruits. Further, waterlogging causes shedding of leaves and also insect pest infestation and the dropping of fruits during the initial fruiting stage.

Response/Initiative

King Chilli locally known as Umorok belongs to genus- Capsicum of family Solanaceae. Fruits are extremely pungent and aromatic, with persistent pungency when eaten. The fruit is a large berry, consisting of a pericarp, placenta, seed and dry cavity.

Good quality king chilli can be produced under clay loam soil. Heavy rainfall is a detrimental factor for king chilli as it affects the growth and development leading to a poor fruit set and rotting of the fruits.

Seed sowing

The ideal time for seed sowing is December-January. Seeds can be sown in beds/trays. For nursery raising in beds, raised nursery beds of 1m width can be prepared with convenient length. The medium of nursery bed should consist of vermin-compost, garden soil and sand (1:1:1 by volume).

Before sowing, seeds should be treated with Trichoderma virdi or Trichoderma harzianum and dried in shade for 30 minutes. The seed treatment will prevent not only damping off but many other diseases also. The seed usually germinates in 7-10 days.

Transplanting

30-45 days after germination, the seedlings are transplanted in the month of Feb-March.

Harvesting

The peak harvesting time of King Chilli is May-July. When the fruits become fully red or orange it is ready for harvest. The number of picking varies from 15-20 days depending upon the climate, growth and development of fruits.

Results/outcomes

The economics of the cost of seedling production of King Chilli (3months duration) in low cost polyhouse of size 100 ft x 50 ft are as given below:
1. Vermicompost 1 tonnes @ Rs. 10 kg -1 = Rs. 10,000
2. Transportation and loading of vermicompost = Rs. 3000
3. Requirement of Labour
a) 5 labourers for 4 days @ Rs.200 per labopur/manday for filling of media (Vermicompost with sandy soil) in polybags (35,000 bags for 35,000 nos. of plants) for = Rs. 4,000
b) 5 labours for 4 days @ Rs. 200 per labour/manday for transplanting the seedlings in polybags = Rs. 4,000
c) 2 regular labour @ Rs. 4,000 per month for 3 months = 24,000

4. Cost of polybags 100 kg @ Rs. 120 kg-1 = Rs. 12,000
5. Miscellaneous = Rs. 1000

Total Cost = Rs. 58,000
Total Income = Sale of Seedlings @ Rs. 10 per seedlings (35,000 nos) = Rs. 3,50,000
Net Return = Rs. 3,50,000 – 58,000 =Rs. 2,92,000
B:C = 6.03

Processing of King chilli

As King Chillies have a soft texture and high water content its quality deteriorates oer time hence they are to be processed immediately after harvesting as well as to avoid any fugal growth. Usually, the king chillies are dried under sunlight.

4. Evidence/Impact: King Chilli and its value chain management for maximizing income
Fresh king chilli fruits= 70 kg (from 4-5 bags)= Rs. 10,000 Selling price (average)=Rs. 30,000/kg …….(B)
Weight of dried pulp= 20 kg Total income = A + B= Rs. 60,000

Selling price (average)= Rs. 1500/kg Cost of labour (15 labours) = Rs. 200 x 15= Rs. 3000
Return= Rs. 30,000…….(A) Net Income=Rs. 60,000 – 13000=Rs. 47,000
Weight of king chilli seeds= 1 kg B : C = 3.6


For further details contact:-
Public Relations & Media Management Cell,
CAU, Imphal.
Email: prmmcell@gmail.com