A closer look at chilli production

Word from the market with AMA

WITH the agricultural production awakening sweeping across Zimbabwe, several value chains are presenting revenue generating opportunities to local farmers. One of the goals of the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan is meant to mainstream small-holder farmers into the horticulture value chain.

Chilli production is one of the value chains that small-holder farmers should consider. Zimbabwe has good climatic conditions favourable for chilli production.

The crop is grown worldwide, and the top producing countries are India, China, Thailand, Indonesia and Ethiopia. According to statistics from FAOSTAT, India has produced an average of 1 842 078 tonnes from 20162020 of dry chillies while Zimbabwe has produced 225,8 tonnes during the same period.

The chilli market is divided into two main parts, that is dry and fresh chilli. For the 2022/2023 production season over four companies have registered with the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) to contract farmers for chilli production. This is a great improvement from only two which were registered last year. This is a positive indicator of the demand of chilli.

Dry chillies are used as spice globally, particularly in Asian countries. These are jam-packed with vitamin C, supporting the immune system and combating chronic diseases. Chilly also contain medicinal elements which are useful in preventing heart ailments.

The high demand for exotic and spicy oriental cuisines in Europe and Asia is driving the market for dry chillies. Europe is the second-largest importer of dried chillies globally after Asia, accounting for around 40 percent share of the total world’s imports.

European imports of dried chillies increased every year in volume in the period between 2016 and 2020. Around two-thirds of imports from outside Europe come from developing countries. Europe is the second-largest importer of dried chillies in the world — after Asia, but ahead of the US — accounting for around 40 percent share of total world’s imports. European imports of dried chillies increased every year in volume in the period between 2016 and 2020.

The Strengthening Competitiveness and Potential for Export for Inclusive Value Chains (SCOPE4IVC) project being run in Gokwe South, Chivi, Umzingwane and Bubi is also promoting chilli production by small-holder farmers. Mr Zindoga from Welthungerhilfe Zimbabwe indicated that the project had seen more than 300 chilli farmers being trained on organic farming principles and practices in response to the global demand for organically produced chilli sauces and spices. The farmers are being paid a price range of US$1,50/kg and US$2,50 on the local market.

Agronomic practices

Chilli is a crop under the Solanaceae family which includes tomatoes and potatoes. Malaga and bird’s eye are some of the popular chilli varieties in Zimbabwe. Chilli is a crop that thrives in tropical regions — it grows well in humid climate and warm temperatures. Excessive rainfall is detrimental to the crop development because it can lead to defoliation and rotting of the plant.

It can be grown in any soil, but black soils are preferable because of their ability to retain moisture. Farmers are encouraged to practice crop rotation and avoid soils where tomato, tobacco and potatoes have been grown. Chilli can be grown on raised bed nurseries, in seedling trays or directly in field ridges.

Chilli yield, on average is 2-3 tonnes per hectare within smallholder farming set ups and can reach up to 7 tonnes in commercial farms, according to Matthew Tuberer from Kacholo. The average maturity days for chilli is 100 days. Local companies are processing chilli into different types of spices.

The main challenges affecting the growth of the industry is access to patient finance by the farmers, low yields and the proliferation of varieties that are not needed by the market. Farmers are always encouraged to do market-led production, and this involves understanding consumer needs before production. Working with registered contractors is a starting point and the Authority is there to assist with the market linkages.

◆ Word from the market is a column produced by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) to promote market driven production of agricultural crops. Feedback pmudzimiri@ama.co.zw or gmashiri@ama.co.zw