The chilly with its distinctive flavour and colour only grows in Sirarakhong in interior Ukhrul district.
Known to the people of Manipur as 'Sirarakhong chilly', it has turned out to be the main source of income for villagers, though the state government has not provided any help in its cultivation.
Only some social organisations, including 'self help group' federation, have given some assistance.
"We also grow other vegetables, but chilly is the backbone of our economy," village chief Z V Wungkhayap said.
There are 400 households in the village and a family harvest ranges from 100 to 300 kg of chilly per roughly every six months.
The dried variety of this unique chilly is sold at Rs 200 per kg. The village produces about 5000 kg of dried chilly annually.
He regretted that the state horticulture department failed to provide any assistance to the chilly growers in spite of assurance by state horticulture minister Gaikhangam who is also a senior Naga leader from Manipur hills. MORE