Red alert in chilli capital

A pile of dried red chilli at the wholesale market in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, on Nov 20, 2025. The traditional ways of cultivating the peppers may not survive the challenges of climate change and soaring costs, so Pakistani farmers are trying to adapt. — Asim Hafeez/The New York Times

PAKISTAN is one of the world’s top producers of red chilli peppers, and the small town of Kunri is its red chilli capital.

Farmers dry their chilli the old-fashion­ed way, in the sun, and on market days, the dust is so overwhelming that the fiery air makes eyes water and throats burn.