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UWAHATI: The state agriculture department will cultivate Bhut Jolokias, the hottest pepper in the world measuring 1,001,304 Scoville Heat Units,
in 300 hectares of land. State agriculture minister Pramila Rani Brahma has instructed the directorate of horticulture and food processing to promote cultivation of the chilly in Golaghat and Baksa districts under Technology Mission for Horticulture Development. Until recently, the Red Savina Habaneros developed in Mexico having rating of 350,000-580,000 SHUs was regarded the hottest chilli in the world.
At a meeting in Golaghat on Friday, Brahma said the area of Bhut Jolokia cultivation in the state has to be increased because of its high export value. She said the directorate of horticulture and food processing would provide incentives to farmers who opt for cultivating this variety of chilli.
According to agriculture experts, the demand for Bhut Jolokia has increased recently, especially after it was established that it is the hottest pepper about two years ago. "The demand for Bhut Jolokia abroad is especially for its spice usage. In fact, it is also the tastiest pepper in the world. Moreover, different experiments on multiple uses of Bhut Jolokia has increased its demand," agriculture information officer Mowsam Haziraka said.
Hazarika said the Defence Research Laboratory in Tezpur has found that the chili can be very useful in controlling riots. In fact, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is testing grenades stuffed with the chillis to take on insurgents and rioters. According to experts, the bomb is non-lethal and just the smoke from it can bring tears to the eyes of a person coming in contact besides choking his respiratory tract.
According to elephant conservationists, the chilli can be used as a powder to chase away marauding herds of elephants. Chilli cakes and fences have proved effective in keeping wild elephants at bay. So far, Bhut Jolokia cultivation is more or less confined to kitchen gardens. Wildlife conservationists have suggested that organized farming can only bring about a visible result in using the chilli products for driving out elephants.
"Considering the diverse uses of Bhut Jolokia, we think it is right to start organized farming," Hazarika said. The rate of man-elephant conflicts is very high in Golaghat. Experts said cultivation of Bhut Jolokia would provide livelihood to farmers as an alternative crop.
UWAHATI: The state agriculture department will cultivate Bhut Jolokias, the hottest pepper in the world measuring 1,001,304 Scoville Heat Units,
in 300 hectares of land. State agriculture minister Pramila Rani Brahma has instructed the directorate of horticulture and food processing to promote cultivation of the chilly in Golaghat and Baksa districts under Technology Mission for Horticulture Development. Until recently, the Red Savina Habaneros developed in Mexico having rating of 350,000-580,000 SHUs was regarded the hottest chilli in the world.
At a meeting in Golaghat on Friday, Brahma said the area of Bhut Jolokia cultivation in the state has to be increased because of its high export value. She said the directorate of horticulture and food processing would provide incentives to farmers who opt for cultivating this variety of chilli.
According to agriculture experts, the demand for Bhut Jolokia has increased recently, especially after it was established that it is the hottest pepper about two years ago. "The demand for Bhut Jolokia abroad is especially for its spice usage. In fact, it is also the tastiest pepper in the world. Moreover, different experiments on multiple uses of Bhut Jolokia has increased its demand," agriculture information officer Mowsam Haziraka said.
Hazarika said the Defence Research Laboratory in Tezpur has found that the chili can be very useful in controlling riots. In fact, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is testing grenades stuffed with the chillis to take on insurgents and rioters. According to experts, the bomb is non-lethal and just the smoke from it can bring tears to the eyes of a person coming in contact besides choking his respiratory tract.
According to elephant conservationists, the chilli can be used as a powder to chase away marauding herds of elephants. Chilli cakes and fences have proved effective in keeping wild elephants at bay. So far, Bhut Jolokia cultivation is more or less confined to kitchen gardens. Wildlife conservationists have suggested that organized farming can only bring about a visible result in using the chilli products for driving out elephants.
"Considering the diverse uses of Bhut Jolokia, we think it is right to start organized farming," Hazarika said. The rate of man-elephant conflicts is very high in Golaghat. Experts said cultivation of Bhut Jolokia would provide livelihood to farmers as an alternative crop.
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