Bhubaneswar: Despite residing at a subtropical region of Malkangiri, two brothers of Bondaghati opted for strawberry farming to determine the feasibility of growing strawberries. And their experiment to grow strawberry has yielded desired results.
A variety of strawberry which was cultivated by the Bonda brothers Lakhman Muduli and Mangulu Muduli on a pilot basis has proved to be immensely successful. Seeing the success of two brothers, other farmers of the locality have shown their interest to grow the temperature fruit by utilising a small portion of their farm land.
According to sources, Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme (OPELIP) had provided financial support to the Muduli brothers to cultivate strawberries in their region. Besides, OPELIP has also provided training to the siblings to grow strawberries on an acre land.
Mangulu Muduli said, “We charge Rs 100 per strawberry packet at Bondaghati. But we charge Rs 120 for the same when we go to Govindapalli or Khairaput to sell them. So far, we have sold strawberries worth Rs 40,000. We have reaped strawberries weighing 10 quintal from one acre land. OPELIP will provide training our fellow villagers who will show interest to cultivate strawberries.”
Local teacher Rukdhar Majhi said, “Growing strawberry is not an easy task for farmers here because it is basically a fruit of temperate origin. The success of two brothers has, however, inspired other fellow farmers to get into the strawberry farming and script their success story.”
Narasingha Muduli, a customer said, “Earlier Bonda people were not aware of strawberry cultivation. Thanks to Odisha government, residents of Bondaghati have started producing strawberries in good quantity.
