The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has successfully exported the first consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilli from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands.

Dalle Chilli

• Dalle Chilli, also known as Fire Ball Chilli or Dalle Khursani, is renowned for its intense pungency, bright red colour, and high nutritional value. 

• It is also known as Red Cherry Pepper (Capsicum annum var cerasiforme).

• Scarlet red in colour, it is one of the hottest chillies in the world. 

• It is one of the valuable cash crops of Sikkim. 

• Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium, its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it a sought-after spice for both culinary and medicinal applications.

• In Nepal, it is also known as Akbare Khursani or Jyanmaara Khursani. 

• In 2020, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, granted the GI tag to Dalle Chilli, a unique and highly pungent variety grown in Sikkim. 

• The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) facilitated the GI registration, strengthening the identity and marketability of this specialty product.

• A GI (Geographical Indication) is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.

• Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin. 

• For this landmark export transaction, Mevedir, a leading agri-export enterprise committed to promoting organic produce from Sikkim, directly supplied the first shipment to the Solomon Islands. 

• This marks a departure from previous indirect export routes and highlights the growing trust in India’s organic supply chain. 

• Through its extensive procurement network, Mevedir sourced about 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle Chilli from farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in South Sikkim. 

• This consignment ensured farmers received a premium price of Rs 250-300 per kg, compared to the usual Rs 180-200 per kg, reaffirming the economic benefits of GI tagging and international trade.

• The export of Dalle Chilli to the Solomon Islands is expected to enhance Sikkim’s prominence on the global spice map, opening new avenues for international trade. With its ideal climate and fertile soil, Sikkim has the potential to emerge as a key player in the global spice industry.

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