The Department of Horticulture has decided to form Ramanathapuram District ‘Mundu Chilli’ Growers’ Association to get the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the native chilli variety.
The traditional variety, popularly known as ‘Ramnad Mundu’ is grown in the conducive climatic conditions prevailing in the district. But the GI tag could not be obtained in the absence of a forum to represent their cause, said Deputy Director of Horticulture V. Gangadaran and Assistant Director of Horticulture B. Ilangovan.
Talking to The Hindu during visit to horticulture farms on Thursday, they said that after forming the association, the department would help the farmers to move the Geographical Indications Registry and secure the tag.
Though the farmers themselves preserved the seeds and cultivated the variety for more than five decades, there had been no instance of ‘yield loss’ over the years and that was the speciality of the variety, they said.
During 2014-15, the Mundu variety, known for its saline and drought-resistant properties, was cultivated on about 17,000 hectares in the district and the production touched 34,000 tonnes, they added.
Thanks to the colour and pungency, the variety commanded a good price in both domestic and international markets, the officials said. For the first time, the department would produce quality seeds and supply seedlings to the farmers this year, Mr. Gangadaran said.
“We propose to grow the variety in three hectares on the government farm being established at Oriyur and produce 1,000 kg of seeds for raising the seedlings,” he added.