Locally grown chilli evokes global curiosity

CANACONA, MAY 6
The Canconchi mirsang (Cancona chilli) has been popular in and around the State, but it has now even invited international attention.
According to sources at the local agricultural office, scientists from Japan reached Goa to take samples of the Canconchi mirsang to explore its unique features.
Interestingly, only the chilies grown on mountainous terrains (Kamath) during Kharif season shows uniqueness in its taste and colour. Besides, these chilies contain more seeds than any other brand of chilies grown elsewhere during Khariff season or even in Canacona’s low-lying areas during the rabbi season.
“The Kamathanthuleo chilies from Canacona usually have thin skin and bright red skin, eventually earning the distinction for its uniqueness,” informed the source.
“With the growing curiosity over Canconchi mirsang, even Zuari Agro Co Ltd (ZACL) is doing research for its uniqueness in taste and looks,” added sources.
Another source from agriculture office indicates that the matchless taste of chilies grown on Canacona hillocks during Kharif season is due to the variety of soil on Canacona mountains.
Meanwhile, given the heavy demand for Canacona chilies, many people are misguided in buying chilies from the taluka for exorbitant rates, which are however grown during Rabbi season in low-lying ‘Porsant’ areas, fields in the taluka, which incidentally do not have similar looks and taste.
Sources informed that the breed variety of chilies grown in Canacona during Rabbi season is in fact the Aldona breed and is normally found and grown all over the State, which is not the case of breed of chilies grown during Kharif season on Canacona hillocks.
During the season, ‘Kamath’ chilies grown on hillocks across the taluka command high rates.
With the rising kidney failure incidents overshadowing all other sickness in the taluka, unconfirmed sources attribute these incidents to regular practice of heavy consumption of Canaconchi mirsang, which however has no standing in medical sanctity, adds the source.
Interestingly, growers of Canconchi Mirsang quotes above Rs 300 per kg, the rate which is stagnant since the last three years, but claim stocks are unavailable.
The chilies grown during Rabbi season in Porsam will be shortly out and local sources claimed that the rates they expect to get is Rs 250 per kg with some banking on the fame of Canaconhi mirsang tag to earn more rate.