Major Red Chilli Crops Suffer Severe Damage

Heavy rains and floods in India have caused significant damage to red chilli crops in Guntur and other districts of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh, a key player in the production of red chilli, is facing major crop losses. Reports indicate that more than 5,200 hectares of red chilli fields have been damaged, with NTR district reporting losses in 4,656 hectares. Palnadu district also saw damage in over 250 hectares. In total, more than 7,500 red chilli farmers have been impacted by the floods.

The heavy rains have severely affected key red chilli-producing areas, and the situation remains critical. If the rains continue, red chilli production in these regions could drop further, severely impacting the overall yield.

Red Chilli Farmers Face Devastating Losses

In the last week, torrential rains have flooded red chilli-producing areas like NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, and Krishna districts. Floodwaters from the Krishna River have submerged vast areas of farmland, severely affecting the red chilli crop.

Reports from the Horticulture Department reveal that over 15,000 hectares of horticultural crops, including red chilli, oil palm, and vegetables, have been destroyed by the heavy rains. Guntur, Krishna, NTR, Bapatla, and Palnadu districts have experienced the worst damage. Waterlogging in fields has hindered the recovery of crops, increasing the potential for further losses.

Severe Damage to Red Chilli Production

Red chilli accounts for around 35% of the total crop damage in Andhra Pradesh. Farmers will need to replant their red chilli crops in affected areas, which will delay the harvest of the new stock. The crop typically takes 150 to 180 days to mature, so this delay could push back production schedules. The overall red chilli planting area is already behind compared to last year, adding further challenges to recovery.

Weather Forecast Raises Concerns

The Meteorological Department has warned of the possibility of more rain in the coming days, due to a low-pressure system forming over the Bay of Bengal, near the Andhra-Orissa coast. The Krishna River is already overflowing, and more rain could worsen the situation.

Crops in Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, and Maharashtra are also at risk from floods and rains. Red chilli prices could rise as crop production falls, particularly with the festive season approaching and increased demand from international markets.

What Lies Ahead for Red Chilli Farming Post-Disaster

The devastating floods in Andhra Pradesh have severely impacted the production of red chilli crops. With more rains expected and crop damage continuing to mount, farmers in the region face difficult months ahead. Both domestic and international markets could see price increases due to the reduced supply of red chilli. The focus now turns to replanting efforts and weather forecasts, as farmers hope for relief from the ongoing rains.

Click here to reach our trading platfrom CMBroker