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Gondal`s mirchi sets China on fire: The Times of India
Rajkot, Dec 16: Gondal`s market is on fire. Its chillies, which are similar in taste to those produced in China, are attracting traders from the other side of the bamboo curtain after the swirling waters of Chinese rivers destroyed most of the agricultural produce there.
Rajkot, Dec 16: Gondal’s market is on fire. Its chillies, which are similar in taste to those produced in China, are attracting traders from the other side of the bamboo curtain after the swirling waters of Chinese rivers destroyed most of the agricultural produce there.
Ever since a gentleman named Jiang from the Lyni town of China, about 300 km from Beijing, came to Rajkot to make inquiries, the ‘mandi’ in Gondal is abuzz with expectation, its farmers wanting to match the flamespewing dragon with its own ‘chillifire’.
Market sources say the Chinese have shown a keen interest in picking up the 2,500 tonne of chillies produced in Saurashtra.
Of the two main chilli markets in Saurashtra, Gondal produces about 1,500 tonnes and the Jamkhambaria market in Jamnagar district produces around 1,000 tonnes. The interest shown by the Chinese has infused life in the chilli market, with market watchers expecting a rise in prices.
“The information about Chinese traders making inquiries has spread like wildfire. And, as prices in the commodity market fluctuate, this will lead to a major price hike,” says president of the Agriculture Marketing Produce Committee (APMC) of Gondal, Jayanti Dhol. Sources say that if chilli fetched Rs 800 for 20 kg last season, prices will shoot up to anything between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 for 20 kg this season. The prospect of going beyond the Great Wall already has farmers here celebrating. “For two years, chilli has not fetched much revenue. We weren’t expecting any change this year either.
But this news has changed everything. We are waiting for February,” says Rajkot-based farmer Jethabhai Shankarwa. The trade is a chance happening. Some Chinese traders had come down to buy sesame seeds, another crop that this year’s floods in China’s northern province — the main region for agriculture produce — had destroyed.
“They were looking for sesame seeds and chanced upon the chillies in the Gondal market. Two types of chillies — Gholar and Resham Patto — are very similar in taste, size and colour to those grown in China. Since the chilli growing time is January and February, they have promised to come back. Jiang, who needed translator to communicate, even requested us to give him an invitation letter so that he can get his visa,” says Arun Chag, a commodity dealer. The farmers’ enthusiasm is understandable.
For, the Chinese have already revolutionised the sesame seed market in Saurashtra, after they picked up one lakh tonne of the 2.25 lakh tonne of sesame seeds produced this year. The price of sesame seeds shot up from Rs 22 a kg to Rs 40 a kg.
“The low demand last season has led to about 30 per cent less production this year and some crop has been destroyed by insects. However, if the Chinese keep their promise, the farmers will make a huge profit,” says Sudip Raja, a trader closely connected with the APMC.
Ever since a gentleman named Jiang from the Lyni town of China, about 300 km from Beijing, came to Rajkot to make inquiries, the ‘mandi’ in Gondal is abuzz with expectation, its farmers wanting to match the flamespewing dragon with its own ‘chillifire’.
Market sources say the Chinese have shown a keen interest in picking up the 2,500 tonne of chillies produced in Saurashtra.
Of the two main chilli markets in Saurashtra, Gondal produces about 1,500 tonnes and the Jamkhambaria market in Jamnagar district produces around 1,000 tonnes. The interest shown by the Chinese has infused life in the chilli market, with market watchers expecting a rise in prices.
“The information about Chinese traders making inquiries has spread like wildfire. And, as prices in the commodity market fluctuate, this will lead to a major price hike,” says president of the Agriculture Marketing Produce Committee (APMC) of Gondal, Jayanti Dhol. Sources say that if chilli fetched Rs 800 for 20 kg last season, prices will shoot up to anything between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 for 20 kg this season. The prospect of going beyond the Great Wall already has farmers here celebrating. “For two years, chilli has not fetched much revenue. We weren’t expecting any change this year either.
But this news has changed everything. We are waiting for February,” says Rajkot-based farmer Jethabhai Shankarwa. The trade is a chance happening. Some Chinese traders had come down to buy sesame seeds, another crop that this year’s floods in China’s northern province — the main region for agriculture produce — had destroyed.
“They were looking for sesame seeds and chanced upon the chillies in the Gondal market. Two types of chillies — Gholar and Resham Patto — are very similar in taste, size and colour to those grown in China. Since the chilli growing time is January and February, they have promised to come back. Jiang, who needed translator to communicate, even requested us to give him an invitation letter so that he can get his visa,” says Arun Chag, a commodity dealer. The farmers’ enthusiasm is understandable.
For, the Chinese have already revolutionised the sesame seed market in Saurashtra, after they picked up one lakh tonne of the 2.25 lakh tonne of sesame seeds produced this year. The price of sesame seeds shot up from Rs 22 a kg to Rs 40 a kg.
“The low demand last season has led to about 30 per cent less production this year and some crop has been destroyed by insects. However, if the Chinese keep their promise, the farmers will make a huge profit,” says Sudip Raja, a trader closely connected with the APMC.