Coloured Capsicum Farming in India 2026
Red and yellow bell peppers grown mainly under polyhouse for high-value urban and hotel markets.
Overview
Coloured capsicum, the red, yellow and orange bell peppers (Capsicum annuum), is one of the highest-value protected-cultivation crops in India. Unlike ordinary green capsicum, the coloured forms are simply the same fruit allowed to ripen fully, which takes longer but commands a much higher price. They are prized in hotels, salad bars, pizzerias and premium retail for their colour, sweetness and crunch. Almost all commercial coloured capsicum in India is grown in polyhouses, where temperature, humidity and irrigation can be controlled to produce long-season, blemish-free fruit over eight to ten months from a single planting. This makes it a capital-intensive but rewarding crop, well suited to peri-urban farms near big cities and to cooler regions like Karnataka and Himachal. Returns can be strong where growers achieve good yields, clean grading and reliable buyer tie-ups, but the investment in polyhouse infrastructure and crop management is significant, so realistic planning and verified local prices are essential.
Climate
Prefers moderate temperatures, broadly 18 to 30 degrees Celsius, with controlled humidity around 50 to 70 percent and good light. Extreme heat causes flower drop and poor fruit set, so polyhouses with cooling are used in hot regions. Cooler areas and hill climates favour better colour and quality.
Soil
For soil-based polyhouse culture, use well-drained, fertile sandy loam rich in organic matter with pH around 6.0 to 6.8. Soil must be sterilised or solarised and free draining. Many growers use raised beds with drip and fertigation for precise nutrient and water control.
Planting & Spacing
Raise seedlings in pro-trays in a protected nursery and transplant 4 to 6 week old plants onto raised beds. Spacing is commonly a paired-row system giving roughly 30 to 45 cm between plants. Planting is timed so the long crop runs through the cooler months. Confirm spacing and timing with local protected-cultivation advisories.
Varieties
Many imported and Indian polyhouse hybrids are grown for red, yellow and orange colour; commonly cited names include Bombby, Indra, Inspiration and Orobelle, among others. Select hybrids proven for your climate and polyhouse type, and check current seed availability and dealer recommendations.
Care & Management
Managed intensively with drip fertigation, regular pruning to two or three main stems, trellising or string support, and balanced nutrition through the long season. Maintain humidity and ventilation to prevent disease. Allow fruit to ripen fully to the target colour before harvest, which extends the cycle compared with green capsicum.
Pests & Diseases
Major threats are thrips, aphids, whitefly and mites, which also spread viruses, plus fungal and bacterial diseases like powdery mildew, anthracnose and damping off. Use clean planting material, sticky traps, screened polyhouse vents, biocontrols and need-based recommended sprays; follow local protected-cultivation advisories.
Yield & Harvest
Coloured fruit takes longer than green because it must fully ripen; the polyhouse crop typically runs 8 to 10 months with repeated harvests. Polyhouse yields are often cited in a wide range, commonly tens of tonnes per acre over the full cycle depending on region and management. Treat all yield figures as indicative ranges, not guarantees.
Cost & Profit
Coloured capsicum is high-value but capital-intensive due to polyhouse cost. Coloured fruit usually sells well above green, with reports of premium rates around 60 to 80 rupees per kg or higher in good markets, though prices fluctuate. Factor in polyhouse investment, fertigation, labour and crop length. Always verify current local mandi and retail rates before committing.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Strong demand from hotels, restaurants, pizzerias and salad bars, supermarket and hypermarket chains, online grocery platforms and exporters of fresh produce. Colour, uniform size and shelf life drive premiums. Direct contracts with caterers, retail chains and exporters give the best returns on this high-investment crop.
Subsidy & Support
Coloured capsicum is a flagship protected-cultivation crop under MIDH. Polyhouse construction, drip and fertigation systems can attract subsidy of about 50 percent of project cost under NHB or NHM, with several states adding top-up support. Apply through your State Horticulture Mission, District Horticulture Officer or NHB and confirm current norms and caps.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
Why is coloured capsicum more expensive than green?
Do I need a polyhouse for coloured capsicum?
How long does the coloured capsicum crop last?
Is there subsidy for coloured capsicum polyhouse?
Who buys coloured capsicum?
Want help to start or connect with farmers growing this?
Ask the community Join the Sangh