Raichur’s Long-Awaited Chilli Market Nears Completion

After years of promises made during elections, Raichur’s long-anticipated chilli market is finally taking shape. Construction is progressing swiftly at the 13.5-acre APMC site, with operations expected to commence by the next season.

Though the Tungabhadra Dam Command area, including Raichur, has traditionally been known for rice cultivation, the past decade has seen a shift towards red chilli farming. Previously, the region’s soil was suitable for cotton and chilli before rice farming dominated. Due to its lower water requirements, reduced production costs, and higher profits, chilli cultivation has gained traction. The district’s ample sunlight further enhances crop yield.

Despite abundant harvests, farmers struggled with market accessibility, often transporting their produce to distant hubs like Byadgi, leading to added expenses and uncertain pricing. “We had to accept whatever price prevailed in the market and bore additional costs for transport, loading, and unloading,” explains farmer Ningappa Jakkaladinni.

Currently, Devdurg leads in chilli cultivation with 7,000 hectares, followed by Manvi (600 hectares), Raichur (500 hectares), Lingasugur (450 hectares), Sindhanur and Sirwara (200 hectares each), and Maski (50 hectares). Recognizing its importance, the central government included Raichur’s chilli in its One District, One Product initiative.

Raichur City MLA S. Shivaraj Patil confirmed that Rs 33 crore was sanctioned for a full-fledged chilli market and a cold storage facility. The market will benefit local farmers as well as those from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, positioning Raichur as a key alternative to Byadgi.

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