Lohardaga, Jharkhand 26 February 2015 :: At least 35 farmers at Chipo Gadh Toli under Sadar block of Lohardaga district had stopped migrating to other states for their livelihood. This became possible when some of them took to green chilly cultivation after paddy cultivation on a large scale some five years ago. With their hard work paying off, many other farmers opted for green chilly cultivation. Now at least 35 families have taken to green chilli cultivation, thereby, bringing to an end migration to other states.
Kaleshwar Oraon (51) had first initiated for this alternative idea of farming. “Recently he sold green chilly worth Rs 3,500 at the rate of Rs 55 per kg. About 20 days back when chilli price had shot up to Rs 75 per kg, he had sold 64 kg of chilli. His entire family is involved in chilli cultivation like families of other farmers as the crop gives good benefit and it has great demand. In normal days the price is such that we can earn good profit,” said Mr. Oraon.
Other farmers are also earning at least Rs 15,000 to 20,000 by selling chilli. In the last six years, a large number of farmers have taken to green chilli cultivation in the different other parts of the district. Farmers of Badaki-Champi, Tati, Sundaru, Tiko, Pandra, Rampur, Nagra, Aine, Baghi, Nadi-Nagra, Irgaon, Udarangi and Mundo villages have also earned good income through green chilli cultivation which has now become their first choice in alternative crop.
Report & Photograph by Quaiyum Khan, Lohardaga.
