For the first time King Chilli ‘Raja Mircha’ is also known as ‘Bhut Jolokia’ from Nagaland was exported to London from Guwahati Airport by Air India Flight from the International Cargo Complex of LGBI Airport on Tuesday 28th July.
This is the first time that this chilli is being exported to some other country.
This chilli is considered one of the hottest chillis in the world is mainly grown in Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. It is also known by different names such as the ‘Bhoot Jolokia’, ‘Raja Mircha’, ‘Naga Morich’ and ‘King Chilli’.
It got Geographical Index (GI)) certification in 2008.
It was also declared as the hottest chilli pepper in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007.
The consignment of ‘King Chilli’ is also considered as the world’s hottest based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). The consignment was sourced from Tening, part of Peren district, Nagaland, and was packed at APEDA assisted packhouse at Guwahati.
APEDA in collaboration with the National State Agricultural Marketing Board (NSAMB), coordinated the first export consignment of fresh ‘King Chilli’, APEDA had coordinated with NSAMB in sending samples for laboratory testing in June and July 2021 and the results were encouraging as it is grown organically.
APEDA would continue to focus on the North Eastern Region and has been carrying out potential activities to bring the North Eastern States on the export map. In 2021 APEDA has facilitated exports of Jackfruits from Tripura to London and Germany, Assam Lemon to London, Red rice of Assam to the United States, and Leteku ‘Burmese Grape’ to Dubai, according to the official report.
Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, North-East Region Ravi Kant said that the occasion is special because the Geographical Index ‘Bhut Jolokia’ is being the unique product of North East India, is getting exported from this region.
He also added, “We are very much enthusiastic that the cargo export potential from the airports in the northeast region would grow to benefit the local food-producing organizations, especially the farmers. The AAI has developed standard facilities in cargo complex for enabling export of NER to produce to the domestic as well as international markets,”.
Plant Quarantine Station, Guwahati, Assistant Director, Vageesh Pandey said that he is very delighted to issue a Phytosanitary Certificate for ‘Bhoot Jolokia’,
“This certificate is globally acceptable for plant and plant products from our country to any foreign country. The certificates are issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine, and storage, Plant Quarantine Station, Guwahati,” he said.
AAI’s Cargo wing Deputy General Manager Nazeer A.S. Basha said that ‘Bhoot Jolokia’ or ‘Naga Chilli’ is procured from Nagaland which consists of 250kg sample shipment, along with 500 kg of betel leaves proceeding to London from Guwahati Air Cargo Complex.
“Under the Krishi- UDAN, the North East Region Airports have sent around 2,000 MT of Agri products and fruits including lemon, ginger, betel leaves, vegetables of various types to mainland India and also exported to various destinations by offering 50% subsidy on freight and storage charges under the Government’s ‘Operation Green’, Basha added.
The export of the various agri- products from NER will boost the growth of the agricultural sector in the region and would help and encourage the farmers to grow their business and income enthusiastically.
Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles @Piyush Goyal Tweeted shared images and wrote: पूर्वोत्तर भारत की मिर्च का तीखापन, नागालैंड से चलकर, पहुंचा लंदन
