Red hot tidings for chilli growers: Haveri to house state's first spice park

HUBLI: This is some red hot news for growers of the famous Byadgi mensinkai (a variety of chilli) from Karnataka: those from northern part especially may no longer have any complaints about marketing their produce or on the price front.
Reason: the state's first spice park will come up near Haveri town. The park is expected to take care of all the grievances faced by farmers on the marketing front.The state government has made available 20 acres of land near the town to set it up while the Spices Board of India and Central government have given their nod, besides releasing Rs 20 crore for the project.
Many states have exclusive parks for a variety of spice crops like garlic park at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, mint spice park at Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and turmeric in Tamil Nadu. It is the first time Karnataka is getting such a park. The park, once established, will not only provide marketing facilities for the chilli, but will also help farmers in exporting the produce through e-tendering. The park will have small-scale units that can add value to the chilli and market it which in turn will provide jobs to the local people in addition to providing remunerative price to the producers by these value adders.
Disclosing details about the park to TOI, proposed park's special officer B A Vardaraj said the Centre is providing the money under the scheme, Assistance for Infrastructure Development for States (ASIDE). The park will also carry out research on the plant. "As Byadgi chilli is known for its oleoresin content, is most sought after by industrialists who extract this chemical. Such entrepreneurs can establish their units in this park," he said, adding that the park will automatically provide best marketing facilities and prices for the produce to farmers.
The spice board has established a nodal office in the town and farmers can approach the office seeking information on the issue, he said. "Facilities at the park will enable farmers to export or sell their produce to any buyer all over the world," Vardaraj added highlighting the benefits of the park to chilli growers.