Over 2.96 thousand tonnes of winter chilli expected in Khulna

Over 2.96 thousand tonnes of winter green chilli is expected to be produced from 1,245 hectares of land in four districts under Khulna Agriculture region during the current Robi season.

In the 2023-24 fiscal years (FY), a target was fixed to cultivate winter green chilli on 1,273 hectares of land with a production target of 2,960 tonnes in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Narail districts.

Although a total of 1,245 hectares of land came under the green chilli farming which is 28 hectares less than the target of four districts, farmers expect bumper production as the weather is now favourable, said an official of the DAE.

Talking to BSS, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Khulna Zone Mohon Kumar Ghosh said the region has been producing chilli along with other vegetables round the year enormously for a long time.

Winter green chilli farming is gradually increasing in Khulna agricultural region as it is as profitable and has huge market demand as many other winter vegetables, he added.

“Due to bad weather at the beginning of farming chilli, the cultivated land was a little bit less than the setting cultivation target land. But the production of winter chilli will exceed the target as the weather becomes suitable gradually,” Mohon Kumar Ghosh said, adding that most of the villagers have cultivated chilli to meet their own demand in this Robi season.

A family can mitigate the demand for chilli if 20 chilly plants are planted around the house, the DAE official said. Apart from this, it can be preserved for six to 12 months, he added.

Besides, diversified steps including the distribution of incentives among farmers with providing need-based training were taken with a view to exceeding the production target. Harvesting is being continued in full swing, he continued.

The DAE officials said a target was set to produce 593 tonnes of winter green chilli from 237 hectares of land whereas nine hectares more land have been cultivated in Khulna district.

In Bagerhat, the target of bringing 391 hectares of land under winter chilli cultivation was fixed with a production target of 948 tonnes.

In Satkhira and Narail districts, 420 and 225 hectares of land respectively came under the winter chilli farming targets, the DAE official said.

Winter green chilli farming brings a smile to farmers’ faces here as they are becoming financially solvent by cultivating winter chilli side by side with farming other vegetables. (BSS)