Table of Contents
Introduction
Capsicum, also known as bell pepper or sweet pepper, is a vibrant and versatile vegetable enjoyed worldwide. Available in a variety of colors, including green, red, yellow, and orange, capsicum enhances the flavor, texture, and nutritional value of numerous dishes. In India, its popularity has been steadily rising due to its rich nutritional profile, as it is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E, along with antioxidants and fiber. Capsicum farming is gaining traction among Indian farmers due to its high market demand and profitability.
The adoption of greenhouse and polyhouse farming has further boosted production by providing a controlled environment, protecting crops from extreme weather and pests. In 2023-24, capsicum cultivation in India covered approximately 39.71 km², yielding around 626.65 kilotonnes.
Now, let us discuss the top 10 Capsicum-producing states in India in 2023-24 in detail.

Top 10 Capsicum Producing States in India
- West Bengal
- Haryana
- Jharkhand
- Madhya Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttarakhand
- Odisha

West Bengal

West Bengal ranks first in capsicum production in India for 2023-24, with a total output of 162.24 kilotonnes, accounting for 25.9% of the country’s total production. Capsicum was cultivated over approximately 94.1 km² in the state. The major capsicum-producing regions in West Bengal include Birbhum and Purba Medinipur.
Haryana

Haryana ranks second in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 81.91 kilotonnes, contributing 13.1% to India’s total production. Capsicum was cultivated over an area of 42.9 km² in the state. The major capsicum-producing regions in Haryana include Sonepat, Karnal, and Hisar.
Jharkhand

Jharkhand ranks third in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 63.44 kilotonnes, accounting for 10.1% of the country’s total production. The crop was cultivated across 40.8 km² in the state. The key capsicum-producing regions in Jharkhand include Bero and Kanke.
Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh ranks fourth in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 57 kilotonnes, making up 9.1% of India’s total production. Capsicum was grown over an area of 30.7 km² in the state. The major capsicum-producing regions in Madhya Pradesh include Khargone and Tikamgarh.
Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh ranks fifth in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 51.77 kilotonnes, contributing 8.3% to the country’s total production. The crop was cultivated over 29.6 km² in the state. The major capsicum-producing regions in Himachal Pradesh include Solan, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Mandi, and Shimla.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra ranks sixth in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 45.42 kilotonnes, contributing 7.2% to India’s total production. Capsicum was cultivated over an area of 39.3 km² in the state. The major capsicum-producing regions in Maharashtra include Dhule, Jalgaon, Pune, Satara, Nagpur, and Sangli.
Karnataka

Karnataka ranks seventh in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 43.02 kilotonnes, accounting for 6.9% of the country’s total production. The crop was cultivated over 29.1 km² in the state. The key capsicum-producing regions in Karnataka include Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Belgaum, and Haveri.
Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu ranks eighth in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 13.06 kilotonnes, contributing 2.1% to India’s total production. Capsicum was cultivated over 5.9 km² in the state. Krishnagiri is a major capsicum-producing region in Tamil Nadu.
Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand ranks ninth in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 10.88 kilotonnes, accounting for 1.7% of the country’s total production. The crop was grown across 19.5 km² in the state. Almora is a key capsicum-producing region in Uttarakhand.
Odisha

Odisha ranks tenth in capsicum production in 2023-24, with a total output of 9.76 kilotonnes, making up 1.6% of India’s total production. Capsicum was cultivated over an area of 7.0 km² in the state. The major capsicum-producing regions in Odisha include Khordha, Koraput, Kandhamal, and Keonjhar.

Top 10 States Based on Productivity of Capsicum Farming
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Chhattisgarh
- Tamil Nadu
- Haryana
- Madhya Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh
- West Bengal
- Jharkhand
- Karnataka
Fun Facts About Capsicum
- Capsicum was originally domesticated in Central and South America and later introduced to Asia and Europe by explorers before becoming a key ingredient in Indian cuisine.
- Unlike chillies, capsicums have a sweet and mild taste as they contain almost no capsaicin, the compound responsible for spiciness.
- Capsicum is rich in Vitamin C, with red capsicums containing even more of this immune-boosting vitamin than oranges.
- Although used as a vegetable, capsicum is scientifically classified as a fruit because it bears seeds.
- In Europe, capsicums were initially grown as ornamental plants due to their vibrant colours and unique shapes.
- Capsicum belongs to the Solanaceae (nightshade) family.
- Capsicum registers as zero on the Scoville scale because it contains an extremely low amount of capsaicin, making it popular for its flavour rather than its heat.
Common FAQs
Q. Which state is the largest producer of capsicum in India?
A. West Bengal is the largest producer of capsicum in 2023-24.
Q. Which state is the second-largest producer of capsicum in India?
A. Haryana ranks second in 2023-24, with a total production of 81.91 kilotonnes.
Q. What are the top five states leading in capsicum production in India?
A. The top five states in 2023-24 are West Bengal, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
Q. Which state has the largest area under capsicum cultivation?
A. West Bengal has the largest area under capsicum cultivation in 2023-24.
Q. Which state has the highest productivity in capsicum farming in India?
A. Andhra Pradesh has the highest productivity in capsicum farming in 2023-24.
Q. What is the total area under capsicum cultivation in India?
A. In 2023-24, capsicum was cultivated over 397.1 km² across India.
Q. What is the scientific name of capsicum?
A. The scientific name of capsicum is Capsicum annuum.
Q. To which botanical family does capsicum belong?
A. Capsicum belongs to the Solanaceae family, also known as the nightshade family.
Q. What are the other common Indian names for capsicum?
A. Shimla Mirch and Pahadi Mirch are common Indian names for capsicum.
