Govt plans initiatives to boost cultivation of Harmal chillies | Goa News

Panaji: Nearly five years after Goa’s famed Harmal chilli received the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2020, fresh efforts to map cultivation areas are being made to reconnect with traditional farmers to revive and expand its production. Agriculture department officials said that a preliminary assessment is currently under way across Pernem taluka, particularly in and around Arambol, historically associated with Harmal chilli cultivation.“Over the years, many farmers have left chilli cultivation. We are identifying areas where cultivation is still possible and reaching out to farmers who continue to grow the crop, as well as those who may be willing to resume cultivation,” the official said.The project is being carried out with support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), which is assisting in farmer identification and planning the next phase of intervention.Officials said the survey will help determine the extent of land currently under Harmal chilli cultivation, assess resource gaps, and understand the level of support required to scale up production.“While seeds are already available with farmers, govt is exploring additional support measures such as irrigation facilities, fencing, and other infrastructure to encourage commercial cultivation. This is in the primary stage. Once the data is compiled, we will discuss requirements and extend necessary support,” he added.On the marketing front, efforts to leverage the GI tag for branding and sales will be coordinated separately.