Constraints in dry chilli cultivation practices and mechanization of harvesting in Southern India

Dry chilli production in India condition faces many challenges apart from adverse weather conditions, labor-intensive production practices and higher overall production costs are limiting profitable dry chilli cultivation. Therefore, a study was carried to know the key constraints in current chilli...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: C Yella Swami, Senthil Kumaran G, Naik R K, Sanjeeva Reddy B, Rathinakumari C A
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society for Promotion of Horticulture - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research 2022-09-01
Series:Journal of Horticultural Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jhs.iihr.res.in/index.php/jhs/article/view/1089
Description
Summary:Dry chilli production in India condition faces many challenges apart from adverse weather conditions, labor-intensive production practices and higher overall production costs are limiting profitable dry chilli cultivation. Therefore, a study was carried to know the key constraints in current chilli production practices in eight major production districts of three states. A systematic research and development approach is essential to know the range of constraints and farmers preferences over technological options for field operations. The harvesting operation alone demands 43% of labour 360.5 man-days/ha. So, red chilli harvesting mechanization is a definite immediate requirement to reduce labour input. Farmers (47%) prefer small size self-propelled chilli harvester over tractor operated equipment. In the production catchments, farmer also inferred to change the cultivation practices to mechanize chilli production operations, but 18% of farmers hesitant to adopt one-timeharvesting chilli varieties due to suspicion about the yield potentials.
ISSN:0973-354X
2582-4899