The Kharif 2023 season has ushered in anticipation, with chilli acreage showing promise for a robust yield, propelled by the echoes of high prices from the preceding year. However, planting this fiery delight has hit a roadblock in the pivotal chilli-producing regions of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. The culprit behind this delay is the monsoon’s sluggish onset and feeble progress, coupled with meagre reservoir reserves in the area.
Inadequate water availability
Farmers, particularly those tending to leased lands, are caught in a dilemma due to the apprehension stemming from inadequate water availability in the Nagarjuna Sagar dam. According to the chairman of the All India Chilli Exporters Association in Guntur, these small-scale cultivators must not only commit to cultivation but also bear a hefty financial burden of $839.85- 959.83 per acre for leasing, along with an additional $359.94 for sowing. Faced with water supply uncertainty, these farmers find themselves in a holding pattern, adopting a wait-and-watch approach before committing to planting.
Weather
The drought in water reserves is evident, with Nagarjuna Sagar’s water storage as of August 10 standing at a mere 15 percent of the standard capacity. This predicament has created a cautious atmosphere among farmers, preventing them from readily embracing sowing. The meteorological data paints a contrasting picture. Rayalseema in Andhra has encountered a 25 percent rainfall deficit, whereas Coastal Andhra experiences a milder 5 percent shortfall. North Interior Karnataka remains relatively stable, while Telangana revels in a cumulative surplus of 22 percent.
In Karnataka, where the famed Byadgi chillies, known for their vibrant hue and mild heat, flourish, the narrative is quite different. Farmers, inspired by the record-breaking prices garnered by the spice last year, are expanding their chilli acreage. This trend is particularly noticeable in North Karnataka, encompassing areas like Bagalkot and Bijapur, typically non-traditional chilli-growing regions. The Kharif season anticipates a 20 percent expansion in chilli acreage, fueled by those who had to forego moong bean cultivation due to delayed rains and cotton growers pivoting towards chillies.
In the recent past (2021-22), India’s chilli scene unfolded with an output of 1.836 million tonnes of red chillies across 0.882 million hectares. As the Ministry of Agriculture estimated, green chillies occupied 0.427 million hectares, yielding a substantial 4.7 million tonnes. As farmers in key regions grapple with water uncertainties and await the rain’s benevolent touch, the chilli landscape dances on a precipice, torn between prospects of prosperity and the unpredictable temper of the elements.