Bhojpur. Commercial chilli farming in Pauwadungma Rural Municipality of the district has now become a learning and study center for farmers and agriculture experts from all over the country.

The farmers here have started attracting farmers from other districts due to their significant income from chili farming and the technology adopted. Commercial cultivation of chilli is done in around four hundred hectares of land in the rural municipality. Chief Administrative Officer of the rural municipality, Nabin Bhattarai, said around nine hundred farmers are involved in chilli farming.

Farmers and agriculture experts from different parts of the country come here to study chilli farming, observe and get necessary information. Recently, Nanda Kishor Tharu, acting mayor of Dudhauli Municipality in Sindhuli district, along with employees of the Agriculture Department, visited Pauwadung and carried out an on-site study of chilli farming. Tharu said that he visited the farmers’ orchards to learn about farming technology, income and challenges.

“We have seen that the farmers here have made good income from chilli farming,” Tharu said, adding, “We are preparing to conduct such programs at our local level after learning about the technology adopted here.” ’

The rural municipality has been providing necessary support to farmers involved in chilli farming. Kiran Rai, chairperson of the rural municipality, said they earned Rs 180 million from the sale of chillies last year. “Chilli farming is now being developed as a study center,” said the chairperson, adding, “Chilli farming has become the main source of income in our rural municipality.” People from different parts of the country have started coming here to see the chilli farming. ’

In the last fiscal year, the rural municipality distributed agricultural materials including mulching and plastic to 750 farmers, said vice-chairperson Jyotsna Rai. Thangjit Rai, a local farmer of Sanodumma in Pauwadungma Rural Municipality-5, earns Rs 55 to Rs 6 million annually from seasonal and off-season chilli farming. He has planted around 32,000 saplings in 42 ropanis of land.

“One plant fetches an income of Rs 200,” he said, adding, “This farming has become profitable due to technical support and easy market.” According to farmers, chilli farming in Pauwadungma has not only created local jobs but also increased the possibilities of agro-tourism.