Once synonymous with insurgency and violence, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region is now making headlines for its agricultural innovation. Known as a hub for herbs and spices, Bastar is attracting buyers from across the country.
Central to this transformation is Dr. Rajaram Tripathi, a farmer-scientist from Kondagaon, who has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in black pepper cultivation.
Dr. Tripathi has developed a new variety of black pepper, MDBP-16, recognized for its superior quality and ability to produce four times the average yield, even in drought-prone and low-rainfall regions of India.
Also Read: India Boosts Submarine Capabilities with Major Defence Contracts
This remarkable variety has received official recognition from the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala. On December 30, the Government of India formally registered this variety under Dr. Rajaram Tripathi’s name through the Plant Variety Registry in New Delhi.
A Game-Changer for Indian Agriculture
MDBP-16’s recognition paves the way for its cultivation beyond Kerala, bringing this high-yield, low-maintenance pepper to dry regions nationwide. Dr. Tripathi shared that the variety is already being grown in 16 states and 20 villages of Bastar. With government validation, the pace of cultivation is expected to increase significantly.
Historically, black pepper was not cultivated in central India. However, this variety thrives on minimal irrigation and climbs on various trees such as banyan, peepal, mahua, mango, tamarind, and teak. Dr. Tripathi’s experiments over 30 years revealed that Australian teak provides the highest yield for this pepper vine, which can produce for up to 100 years.
A Vision for India’s Spice Legacy
Dr. Tripathi believes India can reclaim its historic status as the “golden bird” of spices with proper government support and public awareness. He plans to seek guidance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to amplify efforts in promoting herbs and spices cultivation across the nation.
“This variety is a gift from Chhattisgarh to the rest of India,” Dr. Tripathi said, expressing pride in the recognition of his work. He emphasized that India’s rich heritage of spices and medicinal plants could once again make the country a global leader in agriculture.
The success of MDBP-16 symbolizes a silent agricultural revolution in Bastar, turning a region once scarred by violence into a beacon of innovation and hope.