First Export of 15,000 kg GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to Solomon Islands
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The government has successfully exported the first consignment of GI-tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands, benefiting farmers through premium pricing and highlighting India's role in the global organic market.
Key Takeaways
- 15,000 kg of Dalle Chilly exported to Solomon Islands.
- Farmers received Rs 250-300 per kg due to GI tagging.
- Processed at an APEDA-funded facility.
- Highlighting India's prominence in the global organic market.
- Supports the Mission Organic Value Chain Development.
New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) In a significant advancement for farmers in the northeastern region, the government announced on Monday that it has successfully dispatched the inaugural shipment of GI-tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands.
Dalle Chilly, popularly referred to as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani, is celebrated for its potent pungency, vibrant red hue, and remarkable nutritional profile.
Loaded with vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium, its ‘Scoville Heat Units’ (SHU) span from 100,000 to 350,000, making it a highly sought spice for culinary and medicinal uses, as stated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
According to APEDA, through its extensive procurement network, Mevedir (an agri-export company) collected around 15,000 kgs of fresh Dalle Chilly from farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in southern Sikkim, notably from the Tinkitam and Tarku areas.
This shipment enabled farmers to obtain a premium price of Rs 250-300 per kg, compared to the usual Rs 180-200 per kg, emphasizing the economic advantages of GI tagging and international commerce.
"This milestone highlights India’s expanding role in the global organic agricultural marketplace and showcases the rising international appetite for premium goods from the northeastern region," remarked APEDA.
The processing of this shipment was carried out at an APEDA-supported Integrated Pack House, developed by the Department of Horticulture, Sikkim.
Out of the total quantity, 9,000 kg was dehydrated, while 6,000 kg was set aside for additional processing and export.
As per APEDA, the drying process achieved a recovery rate of 12.5 percent, converting 1,600 kg of fresh chillies into 200 kg of dried chillies for export.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously emphasized that the GI tag is not merely a recognition but a transformative opportunity for farmers and artisans, unlocking new markets and fostering economic success for the northeastern region.
In 2020, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) awarded the GI tag to Dalle Chilly.
The government has been vigorously advocating for organic farming in the northeast as part of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) initiative.
