Akbare chillies bring income and jobs to Chhathar

By Kabiraj Ghimire,Hile, Sept. 20: Kech Bahadur Limbu, a farmer from Chhathar Rural Municipality-2 in Tehrathum, has been cultivating Akbare khursani (chillies) on about four ropanis of land. 

He harvests around 100 kilograms of chillies every week, which sell for Rs. 250 to Rs. 300 per kilogram.

He turned to chilli farming after paddy and maize brought little income and wild animals such as monkeys repeatedly damaged the crops. “In the past, we sweated in the fields, but monkeys never let the crops grow. Now, with Akbare chillies, that problem has gone away,” he said

Like Kech Bahadur, many other farmers in Chhathar have also taken up chilli farming, with plots ranging from one to 10 ropanis. Not only are they producing for household use, but many have also started farming commercially. 

The chilli has created local jobs, reducing the need for young people to leave the village for foreign employment, farmers said.

Farmer Lal Bahadur Limbu said that growing paddy and maize required months of labour, only to be ruined by wild boars, monkeys and deer. “Akbare chillies are safe in view of wildlife damage, and with better roads now, we can easily sell our produce in the market. The production and sales are both good, which is why 

I chose chillies,” he said.

The chillies produced here are sold not only in local markets but also in towns across the eastern Tarai, including Dharan, Itahari, Biratnagar and Damak. Known for their heat and unique taste, Akbare chillies have carved out a distinct identity in the market.