PAU-KVK organises ‘Farmer-Scientist Meet’ on chilli marketing and processing
Harish Monga
Ferozepur, July 7, 2026: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ferozepur, of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, organised a Farmer-Scientist Interaction Programme on chilli marketing and processing to create awareness among chilli growers about value addition and better marketing opportunities.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Gurmel Singh Sandhu, Deputy Director, said the primary objective of the programme was to educate progressive as well as small farmers about chilli processing, value addition and marketing. He encouraged farmers to form Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to undertake collective marketing, processing and export of chillies for securing better prices.
During the programme, Dr. Bhallan Singh Sekhon, Vegetable Scientist, highlighted the recommended hybrid chilli varieties CH-52 and CH-27, stating that these varieties possess desirable traits such as pungency and high dry matter content, making them suitable for processing. He also explained their disease resistance and commercial importance.
Dr. Divya Jain, Assistant Professor (Home Science), shared practical information on chilli drying, pickle preparation, chilli flakes production, canning and marketing techniques. An exhibition showcasing fruits of different chilli varieties was also organised to familiarise farmers with their size, thickness, colour and other quality parameters.
Young entrepreneur Prabhjot Singh of Farm to Food Agro, village Loham, who is engaged in processing and marketing chillies and other agricultural produce, shared his success story with the participants. Paramjit Kaur, representing the Sachdeep Self-Help Group, also shared her experience in preparing value-added products such as chilli pickles and chutneys, motivating farmers to explore processing as an additional source of income.
Progressive farmers, including Mandeep Singh and Gurnam Singh from Ghall Khurd block, Manpreet Singh from Mamdot block, Balwinder Singh and Jaspal Singh from Ferozepur block, and Baljinder Singh from Zira block, along with several young farmers from these blocks, participated in the interaction and shared their views.
At the conclusion of the programme, the participating farmers appreciated the initiative taken by the KVK team to promote value addition and market-oriented cultivation of chillies.