Background
Chilli cultivation is a vital agricultural activity in the Bangalore region, serving as a key cash crop that supports farmers’ income, creates employment, and drives ancillary industries like processing and export. Its adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions and strong demand in Karnataka’s cuisine make it a popular and profitable choice for farmers. Additionally, chillies contribute significantly to spice exports, positioning Bangalore as a global hub in the spice trade.
However, chilli farming faces several challenges that impact productivity and profitability. Premature flower drop, driven by high temperatures, water stress, and nutrient imbalances, reduces fruit set. High input costs, coupled with erratic weather patterns and water scarcity, place financial strain on smallholders. Post-harvest losses from improper drying, storage, and transportation lead to spoilage, while market fluctuations and reliance on intermediaries reduce farmer earnings.
Solution Implemented
To tackle the challenges in chilli cultivation, we introduced Impakt, a unique formulation by String that combines peptides and amino acids to support optimal plant growth and yield. By applying Impakt as a foliar spray 3 times during critical growth stages, such as the peak vegetative phase, flowering, and fruit development, significant improvements were observed.
Field Observations
The introduction of our product brought about notable improvements in chilli cultivation across different growth stages, showcasing its potential to address key challenges effectively.
During the vegetative stage, the crops displayed remarkable vigor, with healthier and more uniform shoot development. Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency contributed to increased plant height and robust growth. The early onset of flowering was observed in this phase.
Reproductive stage, significant advancements were evident. The trials recorded an early fruit set, which was accompanied by a considerable reduction in flower drop—one of the most common challenges in chilli farming. The fruits exhibited noticeable improvements in size, color, and overall quality, meeting high market standards and consumer preferences.
Results and Impacts
The application of our product produced exceptional outcomes, offering a comprehensive solution to the persistent issues faced in chilli cultivation:
- Quality Improvement: The fruits achieved a high-grade standard with uniform size, contributing to an 18–20% increase in yield.
- Reduced Input Usage: The efficiency of the product enabled a 15% reduction in the usage of fertilizers and agrochemicals, significantly cutting costs without compromising productivity.
- Enhanced Stress Tolerance: The product improved the plants’ ability to withstand heat stress, resulting in a substantial decrease in flower drop.
- Extended Post-Harvest Shelf Life: The fruits showed a 15% improvement in shelf life, making them more marketable and reducing post-harvest losses.
- Increased Farmer Income: With better yields and improved fruit quality, farmers experienced a 15–20% rise in income, directly benefiting their livelihoods and sustainability.
Conclusion
The results of our trials demonstrate the significant potential of the product to transform chilli cultivation in the region. By enhancing crop quality, increasing yields by 18–20%, and reducing input usage by 15%, the product provides a sustainable solution for farmers. Its ability to improve stress tolerance and extend post-harvest shelf life by 15% ensures better marketability and reduced losses, directly contributing to increased farmer income by 15–20%.
These benefits make the product highly scalable across the region, particularly in areas facing challenges like high input costs, erratic weather, and post-harvest losses. Its integration into farming practices can lead to widespread improvements in productivity and profitability, paving the way for sustainable agricultural development and economic upliftment in chilli-growing communities.