Ferozepur district in Punjab, India, has achieved a significant milestone by exporting 15 metric tonnes of green chillies to Dubai, marking Punjab's first overseas shipment of this crop. This development reflects a broader shift among local farmers from traditional wheat-paddy farming to more lucrative, export-oriented crops. With approximately 5,000 farmers cultivating chillies across nearly 12,000 hectares, Ferozepur leads the state in chilli production, which is projected to reach 2,94,915 metric tonnes statewide. The district's deputy commissioner, Deepshikha Sharma, noted that the area under chilli cultivation has expanded dramatically from around 2,000 acres in 2017 to nearly 12,000 acres in 2024-25.

The successful export initiative is attributed to a coordinated effort involving the district-level export promotion committee and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which aligned policies and market strategies under the One District One Product initiative. Farmers have benefited from scientific interventions and innovations that enhance productivity and quality, while institutional support has strengthened training and market access.

Chilli cultivation, though involving higher input costs, offers nearly 3.5 times the returns per acre compared to wheat, with multiple harvest cycles ensuring steady cash flow. Additionally, the model promotes ecological sustainability by reducing chemical dependency and improving soil health, while also generating employment opportunities, particularly for women in the region. This achievement has been celebrated by local leaders as a significant step towards crop diversification in Punjab.