Rajamircha will soon heat up global taste buds

Kohima, Sept 28: The Naga Chilli, popularly known as Rajamircha, is all set to hit the global market under the brand of Indian Tobacco Corporation (ITC).

ITC officials had arrived to attend a meeting with the State Horticulture Department and People Networking Trust (PNT) here yesterday as part of an exercise to identify the farmers of state and create awareness through workshops on prospects and marketing aspects of Naga chillies.

ITC is going to sign a tripartite MoU along with state government and farmers to buy the dried Naga chillies, if the state and the farmers can fulfill the requirement of the company both in terms of quality and quantity, said ITC Vice President(export division) Ninad Bhosle.

ITC has decided to export these chillies to Korea and Japan along with some some other countries that prefer hot chillies, he said.

These Raja Mircha's, with 11.66 SHU, has beaten record of the world hottest Mexican Chilli recently.

Although there is no commercial production of Naga Chilli as of now in the state but would start with 100 Metric Tonnes if the state can provide, Bhosle said.

ITC first identified the potential of these chillies at the Agri Expo, 2006 here, however, lack of research and necessary data regarding actual production seemed to be hitches in ITC's quest.

'' Once we start, we will put up our own agronomist to conduct research on Naga chilli,'' Bhosle said.

State Horticulture department Commissioner and Secretary Thangi Mannen gave a brief power point presentation on the prospects of these hot chillies in the workshop.

UNI