Ethiopian Pepper

Hot pepper (Capsicum annum L.) is an important spice and vegetable crop in tropical areas of the world and it belongs to the Solanaceae family, and the genus Capsicum. The genus Capsicum is the second most important vegetable crop of the family after tomato in the world. In Ethiopia the total production share of pepper is high as compared with other vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, head cabbage, onion and others. In Ethiopia, the crop is cultivated at diverse ecological zones from sea level to 2000 m.a.s.l under rain fed and irrigated conditions. Whereas sweet pepper and chili are grown in lower altitudes relatively in warmer areas than for hot pepper and is mainly grown in state farms for export.