Chilli eating contest during Hornbill fest

In order to promote 'Naga Chilli', the hottest variety in the world, a raw chilli eating competition will be held during the annual Hornbill Festival here in December. Speaking at a function yesterday, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said, 'Naga King' chilli, also known as 'Bhut jolokia', is a crop which could be distinctly characterised with the Nagas and the state can be the world leader in its production. 'Naga King' has been scientifically proven to be the hottest chilli in the world. Inaugurating the new directorate building of the horticulture department here, the chief minister asked the department to identify food products that could be tagged with the Nagas. He also emphasised the need to concentrate on a few crops in which the state has the advantage over others instead of undertaking too many crops for cultivation.