01
Vision
"To make Virudhunagar Samba Chilli a globally trusted symbol of authenticity, quality, sustainability, and farmer prosperity."
02
Mission
"To preserve the heritage of GI-tagged Virudhunagar Samba Chilli through sustainable farming, scientific innovation, value addition, traceability, and strong market linkages that create lasting value for farmers and consumers alike."
Virudhunagar Samba Chilli Project
The Heritage and Challenges of Virudhunagar Samba Chilli
Virudhunagar Samba Vathal Chilli is one of Tamil Nadu’s most traditional and culturally significant GI-tagged agricultural products. Known for its deep red colour, intense pungency, thin skin, and unique sun-drying process, the crop represents the heritage and livelihood of thousands of farming families in the dry and semi-arid regions of Virudhunagar district. Despite its strong legacy, the value chain faced major challenges including declining seed quality, low germination rates, post-harvest losses, fragmented processing systems, rising input costs, and counterfeit GI-labelled products.
Strategic Intervention: The NABARD & MABIF Value Chain Initiative
To address these issues, NABARD and MABIF implemented an Integrated Value Chain Transformation Project aimed at strengthening the entire Samba Chilli ecosystem — from seed to market. The initiative focuses on scientific seed systems, climate-resilient farming, bio-input promotion, drone-based precision agriculture, integrated processing infrastructure, GI branding, and organized market linkages.
Measurable Impacts on Seed Quality, Yield, and Farm Income
The project has created a significant impact across the district. Seed germination rates improved from 65–70% to 90–95%, while genetic purity increased beyond 98%. Farmers achieved an additional income of ₹36,000–₹75,000 per acre through improved cultivation practices and better market access. Bio-input adoption reduced chemical usage by 20–30% and improved soil health, supporting sustainable agriculture.
Modernizing Agriculture through Drone Custom Hiring Centres
Drone Custom Hiring Centres established through FPOs enabled precision spraying services for nearly 3,500–4,000 farmers. Spraying time reduced from 6–8 hours to just 30 minutes per acre, while water usage dropped drastically from 150–200 litres to 5–10 litres per acre, reducing labour dependency and operational costs.
The Heritage and Challenges of Virudhunagar Samba Chilli
To address these issues, NABARD and MABIF implemented an Integrated Value Chain Transformation Project aimed at strengthening the entire Samba Chilli ecosystem — from seed to market. The initiative focuses on scientific seed systems, climate-resilient farming, bio-input promotion, drone-based precision agriculture, integrated processing infrastructure, GI branding, and organized market linkages.
Scaling Up Infrastructure and Local Economic Growth
A major milestone of the project is the establishment of a farmer-owned Integrated Samba Chilli Value Chain Facility with processing, grading, drying, storage, branding, and value-addition infrastructure. This has reduced post-harvest losses to below 5%, increased storage capacity to 650 metric tonnes, and generated local economic activity worth ₹18–25 crore annually while creating more than 250 employment opportunities.
Securing GI Protection through Blockchain and Digital Traceability
The initiative also strengthened GI protection and consumer trust through a blockchain-based traceability and digital authentication system. QR-coded product verification, Authorized User registration, and digital market linkages helped reduce counterfeit GI products and improve premium market positioning for Virudhunagar Samba Vathal.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Rural Transformation
Today, the Virudhunagar Samba Chilli Project stands as a successful model of sustainable rural transformation, combining scientific innovation, farmer institutions, women entrepreneurship, digital traceability, and integrated value chain development to preserve and promote a globally recognized traditional product.
- Virudhai Samba Chilli Project
Supported By
