Chili Cultivation: Economic Impact in Pakistan

Chili, commonly known as red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed vegetable crops belonging to the family Solanaceae. It holds significant economic, nutritional, and cultural importance, particularly in developing countries such as Pakistan. Chili is highly valued by the farming community because of its relatively high market demand and attractive income returns compared to many traditional crops. From a nutritional perspective, chili is a rich source of health-promoting compounds, including vitamins (A, C, and E), minerals, dietary fiber, carotenoids, fatty acids, and proteins, which contribute to improved human health and dietary diversity (Qi et al., 2019).

Pakistan is recognized as one of the major producers of red chili globally and ranks as the fourth-largest producer according to FAO estimates (FAO, 2017). Chili cultivation is concentrated primarily in Sindh Province, which accounts for approximately 85–90 percent of the total area and production. The red chili produced in Pakistan enjoys a strong reputation in international markets, particularly in the Middle East and the European Union, due to its distinctive color and pungency. In 2017–18, chili was cultivated on about 157.9 thousand acres in Pakistan, producing approximately 142.9 thousand tonnes, with Sindh contributing the dominant share (GoP, 2018).

Despite its large cultivated area and export potential, chili production in Pakistan has shown a declining trend in both productivity and quality. National yield growth has fallen markedly over the last decade, while total production declined from 172.8 thousand tonnes to 126.2 thousand tonnes by 2016–17 (GoP, 2017; Rais et al., 2021). Export performance has also weakened, reflecting quality issues, high post-harvest losses, and inconsistent supply. Limited access to modern production technologies, inadequate pest and disease management, and weak extension services have further constrained productivity. Compared to other chili-producing countries, yields in Pakistan remain significantly lower, underscoring an urgent need to improve production efficiency and quality.

In this context, enhancing chili productivity requires widespread dissemination and adoption of improved production technologies across all stages from land preparation and nursery raising to harvesting and post-harvest handling. Bridging farmers’ knowledge gaps through effective extension and capacity-building is essential to unlock the full yield and export potential of this high-value crop.

Potential Chili Varieties for Widespread Cultivation in Sindh Province

Sindh Province, owing to its diverse agro-climatic conditions and long tradition of chili cultivation, supports a range of locally adapted chili varieties with distinct agronomic and market characteristics. The selection of appropriate varieties is a critical determinant of yield, quality, market price, and overall profitability for farmers. Several traditional and improved chili varieties have demonstrated strong performance across different districts of Sindh and are widely preferred by growers and traders alike.

The Ghotki variety is commonly cultivated in districts such as Ghotki, Khairpur, Shikarpur, and Kotri, where sowing is typically undertaken during February and March. This variety is characterized by thin, long, and straight fruits with a relatively low seed content, making it attractive for both processing and consumption. Due to its appealing shape and quality attributes, farmers cultivating Ghotki chili generally receive favorable market prices, contributing to its popularity in northern and central Sindh.

Longi is another widely grown variety, particularly in Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, and Tharparkar districts. Its nursery is usually raised in January or February, allowing timely transplantation and crop establishment. Longi produces moderately long fruits and offers an average yield ranging between 35 and 50 mounds per acre under conventional management practices. Its adaptability to arid and semi-arid conditions makes it a suitable choice for the eastern parts of Sindh.

The Talhar variety is predominantly grown in Badin, Talhar, and parts of Hyderabad. It is considered a late-maturing variety, with nursery raising during June and July and transplantation in August. The fruits are long, thick, and finger-like, with a high yield potential of approximately 80 to 100 mounds per acre, making it economically attractive for late-season production.

Sanam is a high-yielding and versatile variety grown mainly in Karachi and successfully adopted in Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad. It performs well in both winter and summer seasons, producing long, cylindrical fruits and yielding between 100 and 150 mounds per acre.

Finally, Kunri, locally known as Longi Dandi Cut, is a renowned variety produced in the Kunri region. It is distinguished by its bright red color, unique aroma, round-tipped shape, and strong pungency, which collectively enhances its domestic and export market demand.

Agro-Climatic and Crop Management Requirements for Successful Chili Production

Chili is a warm season crop that performs best under tropical and sub-tropical climatic conditions. It is highly sensitive to cold and frost, and low temperatures can severely damage seedlings and mature plants. Optimal growth occurs under warm conditions with moderate humidity, while dry weather during the maturity and harvesting stages is particularly desirable for good fruit quality. The ideal temperature range for chili growth lies between 24°C and 32°C. Temperatures exceeding 35°C, especially when accompanied by hot and dry winds, can result in flower and fruit drop, leading to significant yield losses. Therefore, careful alignment of planting time with prevailing climatic conditions is essential for successful chili cultivation.

Soil characteristics play an equally critical role in determining crop performance. Chili grows well in fertile, well-drained clay loam to clay soils with good moisture-holding capacity. Waterlogged, saline, or alkali soils are unsuitable, as they restrict root development and increase disease incidence. Since chili roots generally penetrate 6–8 inches into the soil, deep and thorough land preparation is required. The field should be ploughed at least twice with a mould-board plough, followed by leveling to ensure uniform distribution of irrigation water and fertilizers. Proper leveling also helps avoid stagnant water, which is particularly harmful to chili plants. After land preparation, ridges approximately 2.5 feet wide are prepared to facilitate drainage and efficient irrigation.

Healthy seedlings are the foundation of profitable chili production. In the plains of Sindh, nurseries are typically raised during October–November, with transplanting carried out in mid-February. In cooler or mountainous regions, nursery raising is done during January–March, followed by transplanting in April or May, depending on temperature conditions. About 125–150 grams of high-quality seed is sufficient to raise nursery plants for one acre. Seeds are sown on raised nursery beds, lightly covered with soil, protected with straw, and irrigated gently until germination. Seedlings are usually ready for transplanting within six weeks. Transplanting is best done in the evening to reduce heat stress, and seedlings should be placed in moist soil rather than standing water to minimize disease risk.

Balanced nutrition is essential for achieving high yields and good fruit quality. For commonly grown local varieties, recommended fertilizer rates are around 120-90-105 kg/ha of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. All phosphorus and potassium, along with half of the nitrogen, should be applied before transplanting, while the remaining nitrogen should be split into three applications after transplanting. Incorporation of farmyard manure at about 8 tons per hectare during land preparation significantly improves soil fertility and net returns. Foliar fertilization can further enhance yields, but excessive nitrogen should be avoided as it promotes excessive vegetative growth and delays maturity.

Water management is another key determinant of success. Chili requires approximately 706–810 mm of water during its growing season, with peak demand in early summer. Timely and properly scheduled irrigation, especially immediately after transplanting, during flowering, and fruit development—is critical to avoid water stress, nutrient leaching, and root suffocation. Proper ridge irrigation and avoidance of over-irrigation are particularly important in Sindh, where shallow groundwater tables increase the risk of waterlogging and salinity.

Crop Care, Pest Management, and Disease Control in Chili Cultivation

Effective crop management practices are essential to ensure healthy growth and optimum yields in chili cultivation. Regular weeding is one of the most important field operations, as weeds compete aggressively with chili plants for water, nutrients, light, and space. Due to their fast growth and strong vigor, weeds often outgrow the crop and consume a disproportionate share of soil nutrients, resulting in substantial yield losses if not controlled in time. Weeding should therefore be carried out at fortnightly or monthly intervals, or whenever weed pressure becomes noticeable. Along with weeding, earthing up at the flowering stage plays a vital role in supporting plant growth. This practice strengthens the root zone, improves aeration, enhances nutrient uptake, and provides stability to plants, reducing the risk of lodging during irrigation or strong winds.

Chili crops are vulnerable to a range of insect pests throughout different growth stages. Aphids, commonly known as green plant lice, attack the crop at both nursery and early field stages, usually within two to three weeks after transplanting. Apart from sucking plant sap, aphids transmit viral diseases such as chili mosaic, which can cause yield losses of up to 30 percent. Termites pose another serious threat by damaging plant roots, often leading to sudden wilting. Good field sanitation, removal of crop residues, and proper intercultural practices help minimize termite infestation. Fruit borer is another destructive pest; its larvae bore into fruits and feed on seeds, causing premature flower and fruit drop and direct yield losses. Deep summer ploughing and destruction of infested fruits are effective cultural control measures.

Diseases also significantly affect chili productivity, particularly under warm and humid conditions. Anthracnose, a fungal disease, causes dark circular spots on fruits, leading to premature fruit drop. Phytophthora blight spreads rapidly during the rainy season and results in sudden plant wilting. Viral diseases such as chili leaf curl, mainly transmitted by whiteflies, cause leaf curling, stunted growth, and malformed fruits. Another serious fungal disease, dieback, appears at the flowering stage and leads to drying of twigs from the tip backward. The use of healthy, disease-free seed, proper seed treatment, crop rotation, removal of infected plants, and timely plant protection measures are critical for managing these diseases. An integrated approach combining cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods ensures sustainable chili production and reduces avoidable yield losses.

Harvesting Time and Post-Harvest Handling Protocol for Chilies

Harvesting is a critical stage in chili production, as it directly influences both yield quality and market value. Chilies should be harvested only when fruits are fully mature, uniformly developed, and have attained their characteristic bright red color. Harvesting at proper maturity ensures better pungency, color intensity, and higher dry matter content, which are important quality traits for both domestic consumption and export markets. In Sindh and similar agro-climatic regions, the first picking of chilies generally starts by the end of June, followed by subsequent pickings during July and August, depending on the sowing time and crop vigor. Multiple pickings are usually required, as fruits do not mature simultaneously.

During harvesting, special care is required because chili plants are soft and delicate. Rough handling may damage branches or uproot plants, which can reduce yield in later pickings. Fruits should be picked manually, preferably in the early morning or late afternoon, to minimize heat stress and mechanical injury. Immediately after harvesting, chilies should be spread in a thin layer on clean mats or drying floors under sunlight to ensure uniform drying and to prevent fungal growth and rotting. At night, dried chilies must be covered with polythene sheets to protect them from dew and moisture absorption. At the time of harvest, fruit moisture content is typically around 70–75 percent, which should be gradually reduced to about 8–10 percent through proper drying to ensure safe storage, longer shelf life, and better market acceptance.

Conclusion

Chili cultivation holds substantial economic, nutritional, and export significance for Pakistan, particularly for Sindh Province, which dominates national production. Despite Pakistan’s strong position as one of the world’s leading chili producers and the international recognition of its distinctive red chili, the sector faces persistent challenges related to declining productivity, quality inconsistencies, pest and disease pressure, and post-harvest losses. These constraints have limited farmers’ incomes and weakened the country’s competitiveness in high-value export markets, even though demand remains robust.

This article demonstrates that many of the challenges confronting chili production are manageable through the systematic adoption of improved, science-based production and management practices. Appropriate variety selection, alignment of planting schedules with local agro-climatic conditions, balanced nutrient and water management, and timely weed, pest, and disease control are all critical to achieving higher and more stable yields. Equally important are proper harvesting and post-harvest handling practices, which directly influence quality, shelf life, and market acceptance.

Moving forward, strengthening agricultural extension services, improving farmers’ access to quality inputs, and promoting integrated crop management approaches are essential for unlocking the full potential of chili cultivation. With targeted policy support, farmer training, and greater emphasis on quality-oriented production, chili can continue to serve as a high-value crop that enhances rural incomes, supports agro-based exports, and contributes meaningfully to Pakistan’s agricultural growth and food system resilience.

References: Altaf et al; Baloch et al; Channa et al; FAO; GoP; Hussain & Abid; Kumar; Praveen et al; Qi et al; Rais et al; Rao et al; Salam et al.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writers are affiliated with the Drainage and Reclamation Institute of Pakistan (DRIP), Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and can be reached at nazargul43@gmail.com

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