Complete Guide to Profitable Capsicum (Bell Pepper) Farming in India

Colored capsicum, also known as sweet pepper or bell pepper, is one of the most profitable high-value vegetable crops cultivated in India. It’s widely grown in greenhouses and, to some extent, under shade nets—especially in regions with mild climates such as Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Goa.

capsicum

Capsicum is packed with vitamins A and C and essential minerals, making it a highly nutritious vegetable in great demand. Thanks to the growing urban and peri-urban markets, capsicum cultivation has become a preferred choice for many modern farmers.

Depending on the color, quality, and season, the market price of capsicum ranges between ₹80 and ₹150 per kg. Yields can vary from 20–40 tons per hectare in open-field cultivation to as high as 100–120 tons per hectare under greenhouse conditions—making it a lucrative agribusiness opportunity.

🌱 Suitable Climate for Capsicum Farming

Capsicum thrives best in cool to moderately warm climates. Ideal day temperatures are below 30°C, as higher temperatures may lead to rapid plant growth and poor fruit setting.

Thanks to improved hybrid varieties, capsicum can now be successfully cultivated even in warmer regions like Goa. Cooler night temperatures promote better flowering and fruit set, making September–October the ideal planting season in Goa, with fruiting occurring between November and February.

During the summer, shade nets or greenhouse coverings help regulate temperature and prevent heat stress.

capsicum

🌿 Selection of Planting Material

Healthy seedlings are the foundation of a successful capsicum crop. When selecting planting material:

1. Choose disease- and pest-resistant seedlings.

2. Seedlings should be 35–40 days old and about 16–20 cm tall.

3. Ensure a strong rooting system.

4. Each seedling should have 4–6 healthy leaves at transplanting.

Other characteristics to consider include fruit shape, color, yield potential, and overall plant vigor.

Popular Capsicum Varieties in India

S.No.	Variety	Colour
1	Bomby	Red
2	Orobelle	Yellow
3	Indra	Green

🏗️ Preparing the Soil and Growing Beds

Inside a greenhouse, the soil should be loosened to a fine tilth before forming raised beds.

• Bed Width: 75 cm

• Bed Height: 45 cm

• Pathway Between Beds: 45 cm

Before forming the beds, mix well-decomposed organic manure or vermicompost with sand or sawdust at a rate of 10 kg per m².

For soil sterilization:

• Drench the beds with 4% formaldehyde (4 L/m²).

• Cover with a polythene sheet for 3–5 days.

• Remove the sheet and rake the beds daily to release fumes before planting.

🌼 Planting, Pruning & Training

Planting Method

• Spacing: 60 cm between paired rows and 30 cm between plants.

• Planting Pattern: Zigzag or staggered.

• Mulching: Use plastic mulch to reduce weed growth and conserve water.

Before transplanting, spray seedlings with Imidacloprid (0.3 ml/L) to protect against sucking pests.

Keep the soil moist during planting using gentle watering, then switch to drip irrigation—supplying 2–3 liters/m² per day, depending on local weather conditions.

Pruning & Training

• Train each plant to retain 2–4 main stems.

• Begin pruning 15–20 days after transplanting, then continue weekly.

• Remove weak branches and retain strong shoots.

• After the fourth month, prune every 10 days.

💧 Fertigation & Manure Management

Apply 150 kg each of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P₂O₅), and Potassium (K₂O) per hectare during the crop cycle (6–8 months).

Use water-soluble NPK fertilizers (19:19:19) at 2.5–4 g/m² per fertigation, twice a week starting from the third week after planting.

🐛 Disease and Pest Management

Common Pests

• Thrips and mites are major sucking pests in greenhouse conditions.

Pollination Support

Although capsicum is self-pollinating, pollination efficiency increases when honey bees or bumble bees are present in the greenhouse. This improves fruit set and seed quality—no need for “electric bees” or artificial hormones.

🍃 Fruit Thinning

When the plant bears too many fruits, perform fruit thinning at the pea-size stage to remove excess fruits. This allows the remaining fruits to grow larger and improves overall quality and market value.

🧺 Harvesting and Yield

• Green Capsicum: Harvest after 60 days.

• Yellow & Red Varieties: Harvest after 80–90 days.

Harvesting continues for 170–250 days, depending on the color and hybrid.

• Breaker Stage: 10% of the fruit surface is colored—ideal for long-distance transport.

• Colored Stage: 90–100% of surface colored—ideal for local markets.

Average yield: 80–100 tons per hectare (8–10 kg/m²).
Average fruit weight: 150–200 grams.

🏡 Post-Harvest Handling and Storage

After harvesting:

1. Grade fruits by size and color for uniformity.

2. Shrink-wrap and store at 7–8°C to extend shelf life up to 45–60 days.

3. Pack in 10–12 kg cartons (apple boxes are often reused for local markets).

💰 Bottom Line

Growing capsicum under greenhouse conditions can be both fun and highly profitable. With proper climate control, hybrid selection, and fertigation management, farmers can achieve premium quality produce and excellent returns throughout the year.

🌾 Key Takeaways

✅ Ideal temperature: Below 30°C
✅ Yield potential: Up to 120 tons/ha in greenhouses
✅ Profit margin: ₹80–₹150/kg
✅ Storage life: Up to 60 days with cold storage
✅ Major markets: Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Goa