APEDA Facilitates Export of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands
15,000 kg of Dalle Chilly Exported, Boosting
Farmer Incomes in Sikkim
New Delhi: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of
India, has successfully exported the first consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle
Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. This significant achievement
underscores India’s growing prominence in the global organic agricultural
market and highlights the increasing international demand for premium products
from the North Eastern region.
Dalle Chilly, also known as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani,
is renowned for its intense pungency, bright red color, and high nutritional
value. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium, its Scoville Heat
Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it a sought-after spice for both
culinary and medicinal applications. Through its extensive
procurement network, Mevedir sourced approximately 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle
Chilly from farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in South Sikkim,
including Tinkitam and Tarku regions. This consignment ensured farmers received
a premium price of Rs 250-300 per kg, compared to the usual Rs 180-200 per kg,
reaffirming the economic benefits of GI tagging and international trade.
The processing of the consignment was undertaken at an APEDA-funded
Integrated Pack House, developed by the Department of Horticulture, Sikkim. Of
the total quantity, 9,000 kg was dehydrated, while 6,000 kg was preserved for
further processing and export. The drying process yielded a 12.5% recovery
rate, with 1,600 kg of fresh chillies processed into 200 kg of dried chillies
for export.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier emphasized that the
North East holds the key to India’s vision for a healthier and more sustainable
future. He noted that the Geographical Indication (GI) tag is not just a
recognition but a transformative opportunity for farmers and artisans,
unlocking new markets and ensuring economic prosperity for the region.
In 2020, the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, granted the GI tag to Dalle Chilly, a
unique and highly pungent variety grown in Sikkim. The North Eastern Regional
Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) facilitated the GI registration,
strengthening the identity and marketability of this specialty product.
The Government of India has been actively promoting organic
farming in the North East under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for
North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) scheme, spearheaded by the Department of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This initiative has played a crucial role in
enhancing the production and quality of organic Dalle Chilly, further boosting
its appeal in international markets. APEDA, in collaboration with
the Agriculture Department of Sikkim and its Regional Office in Guwahati,
played a pivotal role in facilitating this export, ensuring local farmers and
FPOs benefit from global market access.
For this landmark
export transaction, Mevedir, a leading agri-export enterprise committed to
promoting organic produce from Sikkim, directly supplied the first shipment to
the Solomon Islands. This marks a departure from previous indirect export
routes and highlights the growing trust in India's organic supply chain. The
buyer from the Solomon Islands was introduced to the product through its
international debut in Singapore in 2023 and subsequently sought direct
sourcing from Mevedir.
The export of Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands is expected to
enhance Sikkim’s prominence on the global spice map, opening new avenues for
international trade. With its ideal climate and fertile soil, Sikkim has the
potential to emerge as a key player in the global spice industry. This
successful transaction serves as a testament to the increasing global recognition
of India’s organic agricultural products and its commitment to expanding
agri-exports worldwide. -PIB
Great to see APEDA supporting the export of GI-tagged Dalle Chilly! This highlights the benefits of APEDA online registration for boosting global trade.
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