Goa's popular Khola Chilli, also known as Canacona Chilli, has been officially recognized as a Farmer Plant Variety by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Government of India. This is a significant milestone as it marks the first registration of a Farmer Plant Variety from Goa with the Plant Varieties Registry under PPV&FRA.
The Khola/Canacona Chilli Cultivators Group from Khola village in South Goa has been acknowledged as the rightful breeder of this unique variety. With this recognition, the group has secured exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import, and export the Khola Chilli for an initial period of six years, with the possibility of renewal up to 2039. This development opens up new avenues for the chili's commercialization, benefiting the local cultivators.
ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa, played an instrumental role in the registration process by collecting, characterizing, and submitting a report on the variety to the PPV&FRA. Their efforts were key in obtaining the official recognition.
Khola Chilli has long been a part of traditional farming systems in the hilly and rocky landscapes of southern Goa, where it is cultivated by tribal communities. The chili is well-known for its striking red colour and moderate level of pungency. Adding to its credentials, the variety had previously received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, further highlighting its importance as a unique agricultural product from Goa.
This recognition not only protects the rights of local farmers but also reinforces the importance of safeguarding traditional agricultural practices and indigenous crop varieties in India.
