the goan I network
CANACONA
After having attained the much-coveted Geographical Indication (GI) this year, the famed Khola chillies in Canacona face a major challenge as the extended monsoon season has adversely affected its production.
According to the Agriculture Department sources, the extended monsoon has not only affected paddy cultivation but also hampered most seasonal crops, including the Khola chillies.
“This has led to limited production of the chillies this year and is now available only in certain areas of Canacona taluka,” said the source.
At present, the Khola chillies are sold for Rs 500-700 per kilo, depending on the seller and place of sale.
The Kumeri cultivators squatting by the roadside between Padi and Gulem sell the Khola chillies at prices ranging between Rs 600 and Rs 700 per kg, while it is also sold for Rs 600 in the weekly bazaar at Chaudi. At Kohola, the chillies are sold for about Rs 500-550.
The famed Khola chillies, which are usually grown in hilly terrains during the monsoon rains, are acclaimed for their bright red colour and medium-pungent taste. Its thin skin helps differentiate it from other varieties of chillies grown in Canacona taluka.
Besides being predominantly grown in Khola-Canacona, the Khola chillies are also also cultivated in other parts of the taluka, especially in the hilly areas of Agonda and Shristhal villages.
Incidentally, besides the Khola chillies, cultivators in Canacona taluka also grow Ghati, Guntur and Kashmiri varieties of chillies.
According to a report in the India Today, a GI tag is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country).
A GI tag recognises the place of origin of a product and the specific qualities or means of production associated with it. GI tag acts as a certificate and it is a way of ensuring that similar products from elsewhere cannot be sold under this name.
