The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has facilitated the first-ever export of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. This milestone highlights India’s growing presence in the global organic agricultural market and the rising demand for high-quality products from the North Eastern region. 

Dalle Chilly, also known as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani, is renowned for its intense pungency, vibrant red color, and high nutritional value, with Scoville Heat Units (SHU) ranging from 100,000 to 350,000. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium, it is valued for both culinary and medicinal applications. 

For this export, Mevedir, an agri-export enterprise, procured approximately 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle Chilly from farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in South Sikkim, including the Tinkitam and Tarku regions. The initiative ensured farmers received ?250-300 per kg, significantly higher than the usual ?180-200 per kg, showcasing the economic benefits of GI tagging and international trade. 

The consignment was processed at an APEDA-funded Integrated Pack House developed by the Department of Horticulture, Sikkim. Of the total quantity, 9,000 kg was dehydrated, while 6,000 kg was preserved for further processing and export. The drying process yielded a 12.5% recovery rate, with 1,600 kg of fresh chillies processed into 200 kg of dried chillies for shipment. 

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has emphasised the North East’s role in India’s vision for a healthier and sustainable future, highlighting that the Geographical Indication (GI) tag serves as a transformative tool, unlocking new markets for farmers and artisans. In 2020, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) granted the GI tag to Dalle Chilly, strengthening its identity in global markets. 

The Government of India has been actively promoting organic farming in the North East under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This initiative has significantly boosted the production and quality of organic Dalle Chilly, enhancing its international appeal. 

For this landmark export, Mevedir directly supplied the shipment to the Solomon Islands, marking a shift from indirect export routes. The buyer was introduced to the product during its international debut in Singapore in 2023 and subsequently sought direct sourcing from Mevedir. 

The export of Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands positions Sikkim as a key player in the global spice market, opening new avenues for international trade. With its ideal climate and fertile soil, Sikkim is well-placed to become a major contributor to India’s organic agri-export growth. This success underscores the rising global recognition of India’s organic products and the government’s commitment to expanding agri-exports worldwide. 

(PIB)