How Seiyhama village emerged as Nagaland’s biggest king chilli producer

Hardly a day goes by without people complaining about the lack of opportunities in Nagaland. But in the village of Seiyhama, locals have taken one crop and turned it into their biggest assets. 

Seiyhama, a small village in Nagaland, is making a name for itself as a leading producer of the Naga King Chilli (Naga Mircha) in the state. Nestled about 40 km from Kohima, this once modest farming community has transformed into a thriving agricultural hub, producing India’s hottest chilli. That said, they are facing several challenges, which, without the support of the government, might soon become insurmountable. 

What exactly is Naga King Chilli

According to researchers, the Naga King Chilli predominantly belongs to the species Capsicum chinense Jaqc. However, it has been noted that the chilli is a naturally occurring hybrid, occupying a taxonomic position between Capsicum chinense and Capsicum frutescens, though it clusters more closely with the C chinense group.

The plant is primarily self-pollinating, but cross-pollination of up to 10% may occur in the presence of a high insect population. Under optimal conditions, the chilli behaves as a semi-perennial plant. Wide variability in plant and fruit characteristics has also been observed. Morphologically, the plant ranges in height from 45 to 200 cm, with dark green stems and green, ovate leaves. Its flowers are pendant with creamy white corollas, sometimes showing a touch of light green. The fruit, which matures to a red, brown, or white-red colour, is sub-conical to conical, measuring 5.5 to 8.5 cm in length and 2.5 to 3.0 cm in width.

The rough, wrinkled surface of the fruit, often featuring spikes, holds 4-5 locules with 25-35 slightly wrinkled seeds of light brown colour. The Naga King Chilli produces 21 to 55 slightly wrinkled seeds per fruit, with a 1000-seed weight ranging from 0.43 to 48 grams. The hypocotyl of a Naga King Chilli is green.

The Naga King Chili is widely cultivated across the northeastern states of India, with predominant cultivation in Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur.

From Nagaland to the world

Meyasashi, Nagaland’s Director of Horticulture, revealed that in 2006, the Naga King Chilli (Naga Mircha/Raja Mircha) was declared the hottest chilli in the world, measuring a fiery 10,01,304 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The pungency is attributed to the high concentration of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the chilli’s intense heat. With a capsaicin content of up to 4%, he said Naga King Chilli outshines regular chillies, which typically contain just 1%.

He informed that in the global ranking, the Naga King Chili currently stands in third place. In India, however, it remains the hottest chilli in the nation.

From organic roots to the Naga King Chilli Festival

In 2016, Seiyhama was declared an organic village by Nagaland’s Chief Minister, as informed by Lhoulalie Zumu, Chairman of the Seiyhama Village Council. He noted that since then, strict rules have been enforced to maintain organic farming practices. A fine of Rs 5,000 is imposed on those who violate the chemical pesticide ban, ensuring that the village’s Naga Mircha and other products remain pure, organic product.

The cultivation of the Naga King Chilli in Seiyhama village is labour-intensive and follows a detailed seasonal process. From December to January, the search for suitable land begins, with areas around large clumping bamboo being considered ideal. The surrounding weeds are rigorously cut down.

From February to March, the arable land is burned to prepare it for cultivation. By March, the debris is cleared, and sowing of the chilli seeds begins. By May, weeds are cleared, and transplantation is carried out to occupy the arable land. By June, pollinated King Chilli flowers start to bear fruit. The first harvest begins in July, and the chilli is most abundantly harvested during August and September. The final harvest takes place in November and December.

Despite their efforts, farmers in Seiyhama initially struggled with market access. That began to change in 2022 when the village hosted the first edition of the Naga King Chilli Festival. The annual festival, now in its third year, has been a game-changer.

“The festival gave local farmers a platform to showcase their produce and realise its true market potential,” Zumu said. Farmers who once sold the fiery fruit at nominal rates have now created a thriving local market within the village itself. This platform has brought not only visibility but also economic value to the community.

Climate change impact chilli harvest?

While Seiyhama’s chilli farming has brought newfound prosperity, the journey has not been without its challenges. The village, home to 432 households and a population of 1,282 across seven khels (clans), faces significant hurdles.

In 2023, Seiyhama’s farmers experienced a sharp decline in production due to climatic conditions resembling a drought. This drop in output was a stark contrast to 2022 when the village’s chilli harvest generated an estimated Rs 1 crore in income.

Last year, the Naga King Chili Festival was scaled back due to a significant drop in production. Despite these challenges, the farmers persisted with their cultivation. During this year’s festival, a week’s produce weighing 2,400 kilograms was sold. The total annual harvest for this year is expected to weigh around 14,000 kilograms, with an estimated value of Rs 70 lakh.

In addition to the climatic change, the logistical difficulty of transporting the harvest is exacerbated by the fact that the nearest motorable road to the Naga King Chilli fields is over an hour away from the village, complicating efforts to bring the harvest to market.

For farmers like Neizonuo Thevo, 51, the fluctuating fortunes of chilli farming are a constant struggle. Her family, which depends on Naga King Chilli, produces between 50 and 100 kilograms annually. “We work hard to get a year’s earnings at one go. Once we start harvesting, the income flow becomes consistent,” she shares. However, the risks of farming on steep slopes, compounded by poor road access, make each harvest season a gamble.

Last year, Thevo’s family of seven relied on other agricultural produce for sustenance due to the failure of their Naga King Chili cultivation.

Despite these difficulties, Naga King Chilli farming remains a lifeline for many families in Seiyhama. The shift from traditional jhum (slash-and-burn) cultivation to chilli farming has provided a more stable and sustainable livelihood for the villagers.

For some farmers, like 57-year-old Kholie Metha, cultivating multiple plots of land is necessary to ensure that even if one plot fails, others will yield. “The process is hectic, but the rewards are gratifying,” he said, noting that for many farmers, the income from Naga King Chilli is the fruit of hard work.

Metha has faced numerous challenging years, but the devastation has not deterred him. In 2023, his King Chilli harvest yielded less than one tin (three and a half kilograms). This year, two out of three of his chilli plots have failed, leaving only one plot producing the fiery fruit.

Despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful for a better year-end. Metha noted that the villagers continue to be hopeful, praying for improved harvests and working diligently to overcome the challenges posed by unpredictable weather and difficult terrain.

Farmers in Seiyhama are now diversifying their production by making Naga King Chilli products, including dried and fresh varieties, which are processed into bottled pickles. Thenuchaü Zumu (60) shared that women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the village have been producing these pickled products on a small scale.

From the comfort of their homes, women have been producing these processed chilli products, taking orders, and selling them in the market in Kohima.

Not just culinary: King Chilli has medicinal properties too

Seiyhama’s transformation into a hub for Naga Mircha cultivation is a testament to the resilience and determination of its farmers. While the village has made significant strides, the potential for growth remains vast.

Research revealed that the Naga King Chilli has several ethno-medicinal uses. It is consumed in low quantities to provide relief for asthma patients and is believed to aid the treatment of gastrointestinal abnormalities when consumed regularly in small amounts. The chilli also helps tone body muscles after heavy exercise or physical work. Hot infusions of Naga King Chilli are applied to alleviate toothache and muscle pain, while a paste made from tender leaves is used as a thin coat over boils to facilitate the removal of pus.

Horticulture Director Meyasahi highlighted the economic potential of Naga King Chilli beyond its culinary uses. He pointed out that capsaicin, the active compound in chillies, is renowned for its diverse pharmaceutical properties. According to Meyasahi, there is significant potential for Naga King Chilli farmers to explore the capsaicin extraction industry, which could provide new economic opportunities.

Research points out that most other chilli varieties cultivated in India contain less than 1% capsaicin, below the standard required for commercial extraction. This makes them unsuitable for capsaicin extraction, where a minimum concentration of 1% is needed for effective commercial use.

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