Red chilli crop submerged due to torrential rains in Tamil Nadu

17-Dec-2024 05:07 PM

The recent heavy rains in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district have severely impacted the red chilli crop, with about 80 percent of the crop submerged due to waterlogging. This situation threatens both the yield and quality of the crop, which could disrupt its export.

The region, known for its significant production of red chillies, saw an area of 11,538 hectares cultivated with red chillies this season, of which 9,215 hectares are now flooded. This has led to considerable concern among farmers and exporters.

Interestingly, while the district faced a lack of rain until November, December brought a deluge that caused widespread flooding, worsening the farmers' troubles.

Despite the promising outlook for red chilli in 2024, this unforeseen weather event may hinder the crop's performance, potentially leading to a 50% reduction in exports.

Currently, only 200-300 tonnes of red chilli are available in cold storage, and the planned 600 tonnes of Samba and Mundu red chilli orders, both domestic and international, may not be fulfilled. In response, farmers might consider replanting to mitigate the loss and meet next year’s demand.