Capsicum finds a foothold on the soil of Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2012: Capsicum, a variety of mild chilli known for its flavour and medicinal values, has found its foothold on the soil of Manipur as cultivation of the plant has been successful in the State.

Pukhrambam Ngouba of Lamboikhul Awang Leikai, Imphal East has cultivated Capsicum also used for medicinal purpose with success.

During an exclusive interaction with The Sangai Express at his farm, the Capsicum farmer P Ngouba said that he had started the ground work of the farm since December last year and the farm was initially started with plantation of 3500 saplings in February this year.

With the selling of around 250 kgs of capsicum yielded in the farm so far, he has made a profit of around Rs 6000, Ngouba said while anticipating a net profit of around 70,000 .

A Capsicum plant at his farm normally bears 6/7 fruits, and around the same number of fruits makes a kilogram.

He said he used a half-bag of diamond, 15 kgs of potassium, and half-bag of urea fertilizers in nurturing 3500 saplings of Capsicum.

Although he had already spent around Rs 10,000 as labour and fertilizer charge, the farmer expect to gain at least a net profit of Rs 70,000 after harvesting the pepper.

A Capsicum bearing plant

At the same time, expert at the Plant Clinic, Sanjenthong, Kh Nimaichand who came to inspect the plantation detected a common disease prevalent in Capsicum plant.

He noticed the presence of Bacterial Leaf Spot, a disease common in Capsicum.

He further advised the farmer to use/spray some medicine to cure the plant disease.

Spraying of a drug preparation� 1 and half gram of plantomycin or anusin mixed with 15 litres of water, would prevent the plant from bacterial leaf spot disease.

Another disease of the plant Dieback could be prevented by spraying of a drug preparation�mixture of 10 grams of Dicychlozole preparation�mixture of 10 grams of Dicychlozole with 15 litres of water.

Though the use and flavour of capsicum is known little to the local populace, the pepper has been in high demand from popular hotels of the State and it is one of the favourite cuisine of non-local people residing in the State.

Ngouba has sold his produce at a wholesale rate of Rs 70 per kilo.

Capsicum, also known by different names like Bell Pepper or Sweet Pepper or Pepper or Shimla Mirchi (in Hindi), belongs to the Capsicum Annuum (Chilli pepper) species.

Besides its delicacy, its medicinal uses is also widely known.

It is said to be good for digestion and is used for curing arthritis pain, blood effects and circulatory problems besides acting as an agent of clot buster in heart attack cases.