The two new chilli varieties MICH 1 and 2 introduced by the Agriculture Department has increased the yield from one hectare to 35 tonnes under experimental conditions,
the Department said. These two new chilli varieties have become very popular among the farmers and because of the MICH 1 and 2 chilli varieties, by 2025, we have the ability to produce 80 percent of the chilies that our country needs, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the yield of MICH 1 chilli variety has increased to a potential yield of 35 tons per hectare and an average yield of more than 25 tonnes.
Also, for MICH 2 the Department of Agriculture emphasizes that the potential yield of chilies per hectare is up to 32 tons and the average yield is up to 25 tons.
Presently, the requirement of chillies in our country is 52,500 metric tonnes annually, of which 5,000 metric tonnes are produced in this country. The remaining metric tonnes 48,500 are imported.
Buddhika Imbulana