Mizoram: Women farmers send 5 tons of bird eye chilli to Bengaluru, Odisha

Aizawl: Minister of State for Rural Development & Administration, Prof. Lalnilawma, recently inaugurated the flag-off programme of the Ropuiliani Women Farmer Producer Company Limited, marking the sale of 5 tons of Mizo bird eye chilli at the MIFCO Complex, Chhingchip.

During the programme, Prof. Lalnilawma highlighted the significance of the Ropuiliani Women Farmer Producer Company, emphasising its role in empowering Mizo women farmers. He noted that Mizoram has a long history of cultivating the native Mizo bird eye chilli, which has become an important brand identity for the state. He also stressed that proper grading and handling of the produce are crucial to maintaining quality, ensuring fair pricing, and maximising the benefits for the farmers.

The Minister further pointed out that the initiative would provide sustained opportunities for women farmers and help strengthen rural livelihoods, thanks to the coordinated efforts of MzSRLM, partner agencies, and the company.

The Ropuiliani Women Farmer Producer Company Limited operates under the Mizoram State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MzSRLM) and is part of the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) Value Chain Project.

Its shareholders consist of Self Help Group members associated with MzSRLM, and the company aims to expand its activities across seven districts (Champhai, Khawzawl, Saitual, Aizawl, Serchhip, Mamit, Kolasib) and sixteen R.D. Blocks in the state.

The Board of Directors includes five members, while the first subscribers numbered twelve. Currently, the company has mobilised 6,346 shareholders and employs nine staff members, with technical support provided by the Foundation for Development of Rural Value Chains (FDRVC).

As part of the initiative, members were mobilised through drives conducted between January and February 2026, which helped finalise the shareholder base and prepare for grading and processing of the chilli for the market.

For the 2025–2026 season (December 2025–January 2026), the company harvested 15.2 tons of Mizo bird eye chilli from four districts and five R.D. Blocks. Out of this, 5 tons were dispatched to Sus Agri Development Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, while 7.5 tons are scheduled to be delivered to Relentless Foods Pvt. Ltd., Odisha.

The remaining stock is securely stored at the company warehouse at the MIFCO Complex, Chhingchip, ready for further processing or sale.

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