Red Hot Chilly Peppers

Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Gudipadi Cheruvu, Andhra Pradesh

Harvesting has begun in Gudipadi Cheruvu village, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh.  After forming a farmers’ group in 2018,  twenty two farmers began growing chilli on fourty three acres of land. This variety (Teza Lepakshi) yields an average of 1200 to 1500 kg per acre, which sells for 85-90 Rs/kg.

“The farmers make a 65 000 rupee profit per acre. This includes 12 000 rupees under the Rythu Bharosa state government scheme,” says agricultural program officer Sreeni KR.

Chilly and cotton are the primary crops being harvested in 2019.

Six varieties of cotton, producing an average of 1000 kilos per acre, are simultaneously being harvested on 94 acres of land. “The price of cotton, 40 rupees a kilo, yields a profit of 23 000 rupees per acre,” concludes Sreeni KR.