Singur/Haripal (Hooghly), May 17: Hooghly district has long been known for its robust potato production. Now, a fiery new crop is taking root and making waves: green chillies. What’s even more remarkable is that these chillies, cultivated in the very land where a major industrial project once faltered, are now being exported to Japan, outcompeting established players like Vietnam and Thailand. Singur, a name synonymous with a globally recognized land movement, is transforming into a thriving hub for green chilli cultivation.
This agricultural shift is proving to be a boon for local farmers, offering significantly higher profits. Simultaneously, Japanese buyers are increasingly turning to India for their chilli needs due to more competitive pricing compared to other exporting nations.
The seeds of this transformation were sown in 2019, following the departure of Tata Motors from Singur. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the then Finance Minister Amit Mitra forged a partnership with a Japanese company to establish vegetable and fruit processing units in the state. A small unit was set up at the Tapasi Malik Krishak Bazar in Singur. Subsequently, the Japanese firm initiated contract farming with local farmers, emphasizing chemical and pesticide-free cultivation. Currently, processed vegetables and fruits from this collaboration are available in several shopping malls across Kolkata.
Now, the company has set its sights on supplying Japan with a specific variety: raw, yet red, chillies, tailored to the Japanese market’s preferences. As a pilot project, eight different species of chillies are being cultivated in poly houses in Haripal, with processing planned in Singur. Initial shipments of 160 kilograms of four chilli varieties were sent to Japan, with two varieties already receiving the green light. The company intends to send another four varieties in the near future.
According to the company, Japanese restaurants have a consistent demand for red raw chillies for soups and various dishes. If Singur and Haripal, along with other regions, can scale up production, this demand can be effectively met. This chilli cultivation venture is expected to significantly benefit the state’s farmers. Furthermore, the Japanese company is also planning a sweet potato processing unit in Siliguri, with the aim of exporting sweet potatoes and producing candies for the Japanese market. Additionally, a vegetable processing unit has been established in Nadia.
Currently, two farmers from Haripal, Subhendu Singh Roy and Gautam Das, are actively involved in the chilli pilot project. Subhendu Singh Roy explains, “We cultivate these chillies entirely within poly houses, maintaining precise levels of water, organic fertilizer, and temperature. No chemical fertilizers are used. To prevent weed growth, polythene sheets are laid, and chilli plants are grown in neat rows. The plants are also tied and maintained at a specific height to maximize yield. While labor is involved, meticulous care and monitoring are paramount. We even have CCTV cameras inside the poly houses to monitor for diseases and pests.”
He further elaborates, “The Japanese company can directly monitor the chilli plants for diseases and pests through the CCTV system. Japanese technology and experts maintain direct contact with the farmers. The company even covers all cultivation costs. This arrangement is mutually beneficial. We anticipate receiving four times the current market price for these exported chillies. This is currently a pilot project, but we expect 50 to 60 farmers to be involved in the future. The soil in Hooghly is exceptionally fertile, renowned globally for its agricultural potential, which is why the Japanese company chose this region.”
Gautam Das, a farmer from Panishyaola in Haripal, shares his perspective, “Our traditional understanding was to grow food grains for sustenance. Now, the Japanese are teaching us that agriculture is a business. We need to produce specific crops and market them effectively. We were accustomed to cultivating conventional crops like paddy, potatoes, and jute. Now, we are producing crops for international export. The Japanese are here, and we are learning their farming techniques.”
He emphasizes the organic nature of their cultivation, stating, “In the market, many sell vegetables claiming they are organic, but it’s often false. We are practicing completely chemical-free organic farming. All produce undergoes rigorous testing before export. So far, we have sent 160 kilograms of chillies to Japan for testing, and two varieties have been selected. This cultivation will significantly improve our financial standing. The company has assured me they can take 3 tonnes of chillies from me alone annually. Besides me, there are 70 other farmers involved in this vegetable cultivation. They have claimed that we will receive 20 percent more than the state market price. That’s what the Japanese company has promised me.”
The project involves both contracted and non-contracted farmers who supply vegetables and fruits of the highest quality. A temperature-controlled warehouse at the Singur Krishan Bazar allows for the processing and storage of selected vegetables for 7 to 10 days. Currently, 10 farmers are under contract with the Japanese company, with an additional 200 farmers involved on a temporary basis.
Arpan Guha, Agriculture Officer at the Japanese company, notes, “Many farmers are contacting us, expressing their interest in cultivating these chillies. The price of chillies in Japan is five to ten times higher than in our state. Our company head has stated that we will purchase chillies from the farmers at double the state market price. We will provide everything needed for chilli cultivation, from poly houses and fertilizers to seeds. Farmers can achieve financial prosperity through their honesty and hard work. Singur is a hotspot zone for cultivation, attracting global attention. Besides Singur, another warehouse is being established in Dabgram, where sweet potato processing will occur for sweet candy production in Japan. We also have another project coming up in Krishnanagar.”
Parichita Chakraborty, General Manager of the Japanese company, explains, “We have a 3,000 square feet warehouse in Singur, and another is being set up in Dabgram, Siliguri. West Bengal experiences significant post-harvest losses, which is why we proposed setting up temperature-controlled warehouses to the state government. We have 2,000 farmers associated with us. We disburse ₹4 lakh to farmers every month, amounting to ₹48 lakh annually directly into their accounts. The Japanese are health-conscious and recognize the superior nutritional value of sweet potatoes over regular potatoes. We plan to establish a food processing unit for sweet potatoes in Siliguri, producing sweet potato candies and snacks. High-yielding seeds and organic farming techniques are being implemented in Singur and Siliguri under the guidance of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya students and Japanese technology.”
The emergence of Singur as a chilli cultivation hub is being hailed as a success of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s vision by Agriculture Marketing Minister Becharam Manna. He states, “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always strived to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce. At the Krishan Bazar in Singur, the state and the Japanese company have already initiated organic farming practices. In the future, chillies grown in our state will dominate international markets. Furthermore, through Mission Nirmal Bangla, we are providing organic fertilizers to farmers to further enhance their profitability.”