Chilli Farmers in Ballari Left Disappointed as Market Plans Shelved

Ballari’s chilli farmers face a setback as the state government officially withdrew plans to establish a dry chilli market in Aladahalli, a long-pending demand aimed at addressing their challenges. Instead, the government has approved the construction of a cold storage facility at the proposed market site.

In the 2021-22 budget, the government announced plans to create a chilli market on a PPP model. Land spanning 23.25 acres in Aladahalli was acquired for this purpose, and private investors were invited twice in 2022. However, the lack of investor interest stalled progress. A revised proposal for infrastructure worth ₹25 crore under NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund was rejected by the Finance Department. Instead, a cold storage unit with a 2,300 metric tonne capacity will be built for ₹11.75 crore.

During the ongoing legislative winter session, MLC Y M Satish questioned the status of the chilli market. APMC Minister Shivanand S Patil responded that the market’s establishment is under consideration for the future. Farmers’ groups, including the Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha, expressed outrage over this decision, citing falling chilli prices and middlemen exploitation.

Protests have been staged, demanding a government-funded market within three months. Farmers have threatened to intensify their agitation by besieging the homes of elected representatives and locking the deputy commissioner’s office.

The lack of interim measures, such as a temporary market, further frustrates chilli growers. Farmers now await meaningful action to support their livelihoods amidst plummeting prices.

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