Removing hurdles of transportation and middlemen, the state government has entered into an agreement with the Plant Lipid company that targets to procure 20,000 tonnes chilli. The Society For Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) is dealing with the company to procure Teja variety of Chilli from farmers in Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Jangaon, Warangal and Suryapet districts.
Last year, the company procured Teja variety of chilli only in Khammam district to the tune of 2,147 tonnes for Rs. 39 crore. The company produces oil from chilli and exports it to other countries. The residue is used in making colours.
The Plant Lipid had set up an office at Kuravi in Mahabubabad district where it is creating awareness programmes to farmers on the quality of chilli and other management techniques of farming. A group of company representatives will be visiting the districts on December 21.
The farmers are highly relieved as they are free from worries about transportation and exploiting middlemen. The company pays for gunny bags and every gram of chilli to the farmers.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao