Daijiworld Media Network – Gadag

Gadag, Feb 8: A farmer from Lakkundi village in Gadag district has fetched a record-breaking price of Rs 74,099 per quintal for his chilli crop, setting a new benchmark in the region’s agricultural markets.

The exceptional price was secured by Chandru Chabarabhavi, who attributed the achievement to the superior quality of his produce and organic farming practices.

Chandru cultivated the Kashmir dabba variety of chilli, using only cow dung as fertiliser. Chilli prices generally range between Rs 35,000 and Rs 50,000 per quintal, depending on quality. However, this year has witnessed an unprecedented surge, marking the highest price recorded in the past two years.

In January 2023, Sharanappa, a farmer from Kotumachagi, had secured Rs 70,499 per quintal, a record that has now been surpassed by Chandru’s Rs 74,099. Farmers in Lakkundi village celebrated the achievement by distributing sweets to mark the milestone.

Earlier, the highest recorded price for chilli stood at Rs 41,101 per quintal, achieved by a farmer in 2020. Market rates hovered around Rs 45,000 per quintal in November 2022, before rising sharply to Rs 70,499 in 2023, according to farmers.

The Byadgi chilli, cultivated extensively in the Haveri, Dharwad and Gadag regions, continues to command strong demand in domestic and export markets.

Expressing his joy, Chandru said, “I anticipated a good price, but I never imagined such a record-breaking amount. I have not yet decided how to use this money, but I plan to do so carefully, especially after suffering consecutive crop losses. My friends brought sweets, and we performed puja for my crop.”