King Chilli ‘Raja Mircha’

King Chilli ‘Raja Mircha’

Part of: Prelims and GS -III – Economy 

In news 

• In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indications (GI) products from the north-eastern region, a consignment of ‘Raja Mircha’ also referred as king chilli from Nagaland was today exported to London via Guwahati under assistance from APEDA. 
• The consignment was sourced from Tening, part of Peren district, Nagaland. 
• Exporting fresh King Chilli posed a challenge earlier because of its highly perishable nature.

About King Chilli

• King Chilli is considered as the world’s hottest based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). 
• is constantly on the top five in the list of the world’s hottest chilies based on the SHUs. 
• It is also referred to as Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper. 
• It got GI certification in 2008.
• It belongs to genus Capsicum of family Solanaceae.  

What is Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)?

• It is an apex body under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for the export promotion of agricultural products. 
• It was established under the APEDA Act of 1985.
• Functions 
  • Promotion of exports of agricultural and processed food products. 
  • Promotion of export oriented production and development of the Scheduled products.
  • To make Improvement in areas such as packaging
  • Setting standards and specifications for the scheduled products 
  • Financial assistance, reliefs and subsidies to the related industries.
  • Provide training in the related areas

Do you know? 

• APEDA has facilitated exports of Jackfruits from Tripura to London and Germany, Assam Lemon to London, Red rice of Assam to the USA and Leteku ‘Burmese Grape’ to Dubai.

News Source: PIB