Long Peppers Varieties Resistant to Diseases

Strong Against Disease, Hot on the Market.

Developed by the World Vegetable Center, this group of long pepper varieties delivers yields of 6.8–18.01 t/ha over 10 harvests and matures in 70–85 days after transplanting (Full variety list in downloads below). It offers strong resistance to major diseases such as Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Potato Virus Y, Phytophthora blight, anthracnose, and bacterial wilt—significantly reducing crop losses and pesticide reliance. Its open-pollinated nature enables domestic seed production, supporting seed system sovereignty. The long, slender, moderately pungent red fruits are well-suited for both fresh consumption and processing, making it a strategic choice for national food security programs.

This technology is pre-validated.

4•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 4/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Increased productivity and reduced losses lead to more reliable earnings and better livelihoods, directly enhancing the economic situation for adult family members.

The poor: Positive high

By increasing yield reliability and reducing input costs, even small-scale and resource-poor farmers can improve their standard of living and resilience.

Under 18: Positive medium

Stable, increased pepper production enhances family well-being, ensuring that children have access to better quality food and potentially more resources for education and health.

Women: Positive high

Higher yields and reduced reliance on chemical inputs can reduce labor burdens, increase profits, and improve women’s standing in the household and community.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Enhanced resilience to temperature shifts and rainfall variability helps farmers maintain productivity as climate conditions change.

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Access to hardy, disease-resistant varieties helps farmers adapt to climate fluctuations and reduces the risk of crop failure, improving long-term livelihood security.

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

The technology itself is not designed to increase plant species diversity, but lowering chemical inputs may indirectly support local ecosystems and natural predators.

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

By using disease-resistant varieties, farmers can maintain productivity with fewer harmful inputs, improving overall ecosystem health.

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Healthier soil biodiversity and reduced chemical load help maintain long-term soil fertility and productivity.

Water use: Same amount of water used

While not a water-saving technology, healthier plants with stable yields may indirectly encourage more efficient irrigation practices, improving overall water management.

Problem

National pepper production remains low and unstable due to poor-performing local varieties and climate stress.
Recurring disease outbreaks (CMV, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, Phytophthora) reduce yields and strain extension efforts.
Farmers rely heavily on pesticides, increasing public health and environmental risks.
Dependence on imported pepper seeds undermines seed system sovereignty and increases costs.
Public seed and extension programs lack climate-resilient, disease-tolerant pepper varieties suited to their climate.

Solution

Its high yield potential (6.8–18.01 t/ha) helps governments close the production gap and stabilize domestic pepper supply.
Resistance to CMV, Phytophthora, bacterial wilt, and anthracnose reduces the frequency of disease outbreaks that burden extension services.
As an open-pollinated line, it allows national programs to produce quality seed locally, reducing reliance on imported varieties.
Its climate adaptability makes it suitable for scaling in savanna zones, supporting national climate resilience targets.

Key points to design your project

These cayenne-type varieties, developed by the World Vegetable Center, are ideal for regions affected by viral diseases and heat stress. With yields of 6.8–18.01 t/ha over 10 harvests and strong resistance to CMV, PVY, and fungal pathogens, they offer a practical solution for improving productivity, stabilizing farmer incomes, and promoting sustainable pepper systems.

For detailed agronomic traits and disease resistance profiles of each variety, refer to the document attached in the “Download” section at the bottom of this profile.

Secure access to quality seed by partnering with WorldVeg and licensed local seed companies. Engage national seed authorities early to facilitate variety registration, licensing, and import clearance if needed.
Identify target production zones using agro-ecological and disease incidence data. Prioritize dry and hot areas where local varieties underperform and where smallholders depend on chili as a cash crop.
Contract experienced seed multipliers or certified cooperatives to produce quality seed locally. Ensure they are trained on field isolation, rouging, and sorting practices to maintain the variety’s purity and disease resistance.
Work with agro-dealers and distribution networks to ensure timely availability of seed in retail outlets. Encourage packaging in different sizes to serve both smallholders and larger farms.
Establish demonstration plots and training hubs through extension agents or NGOs. Use these sites to show yield gains, disease resistance, and drying quality compared to traditional varieties.
Estimate and plan input needs at scale, including seed volumes, fertilizer, and basic post-harvest tools. Align input delivery with planting calendars and local agro-dealer stock cycles.
Train extension staff and lead farmers on good agronomic practices, disease scouting, integrated pest management, and optimal harvest timing to maximize returns from this variety.
Develop outreach materials and campaigns in local languages to promote adoption. Use posters, radio programs, and short videos to explain how the variety reduces losses and increases income.
Integrate into ongoing market linkage programs by connecting producer groups to chili processors or traders. Promote the variety’s uniformity and drying quality as a value-added trait for aggregation and export.
Include monitoring and evaluation systems to track adoption, yield performance, and market outcomes. Use this data to adjust strategy and report impact to funders and policymakers.

Cost: $$$ 2336 USD

All production cost for 1 hectare

ROI: $$$ up to 434 %

over 10 harvests

6.8–18.01 t/ha over 10 harvest

70–85 days

Days to Maturity after Transplanting

Officially released in Benin in 2025

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–	–	–	–
Semiarid			–
Subhumid			–
Humid			–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

By increasing cayenne pepper yields and reducing losses due to diseases and pests, these improved varieties contribute directly to food availability and affordability. This helps ensure a more stable food supply, particularly in regions where peppers are a key part of local diets.

Goal 5: gender equality

Women often play central roles in agriculture—growing, harvesting, processing, or marketing crops. Improved pepper varieties and related practices can enhance their productivity, income, and decision-making power. As a result, women gain greater economic independence and recognition, contributing to gender equality.

Goal 13: climate action

Disease-resistant, resilient pepper varieties reduce reliance on chemical inputs, lower environmental risks, and help maintain stable yields even under challenging climate conditions. By improving the ability of farming systems to cope with climate variability, these varieties support climate adaptation efforts and more sustainable use of resources.

This line can be used following the standard cultural practices in different environments. Please refer to the downloads below for more information.

For researchers interested in this line, refer to the guidelines attached for the field trial.