Mayurbhanj: A pioneering group of 25 farmers from Tarajodi and Kochilaghati villages, backed by the district administration, has successfully cultivated strawberries, has scripted a new chapter in the Mayurbhanj’s agricultural landscape by cultivating strawberries.
The lush green foothills of Similipal, once synonymous with traditional crops like paddy and pulses, are now abuzz with the vibrant red hue of strawberries. With technical and financial support from the district administration, the farmers embarked on a journey that would change their lives forever.
Under the direct supervision of Mayurbhanj District Collector Hema Kanta Say, the strawberry cultivation project has been implemented and it’s worth noting that within just two months of planting, the strawberry plants have started yielding fruits. This initiative has been made possible by the favourable natural environment of the region, which has encouraged local farmers to adopt this new crop.
As per reports, approximately 1,70,000 strawberry saplings were sourced from Maharashtra’s Mahabaleshwar region and planted across 10 acres of land. To ensure the success of this pilot project, the administration provided piped irrigation facilities and implemented mulching techniques to enhance soil quality, retain moisture, and reduce evaporation.
Each bed of strawberry plants yields between 350 grams to 400 grams of fruit. Currently, there is a high demand for strawberries in the market, with each kilogram selling for Rs 400 to Rs 500. The successful farmers are hopeful that they will be able to harvest and supply up to 50,000 kilograms of strawberries, said sources.
Apart from district administration, strawberry cultivation has been successful thanks to the collective efforts of the state government’s Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Horticulture Department and other departments.
In a subsequent effort, the administration plans to market this crop by selling it to tourists visiting Similipal through 5 stalls. Further plans are underway to sell the produce in the cities of Baripada and Balasore, and eventually export it outside Odisha, keeping in mind the production volume.
“We were initially sceptical about growing strawberries, but the district administration’s support and guidance gave us the confidence to take the plunge,” says a farmer from Tarajodi village.
“With financial and technical support from district administration, we took up strawberry cultivation for an additional source of income and became successful in cultivating strawberry as a profitable crop”, maintained another farmer.
Notably, for the first time in the Mayurbhanj district, strawberry cultivation has been successfully introduced in the Similipal foothills under the guidance of District Collector Hemakanta Say. Prior to this, the Collector had introduced strawberry cultivation in Koraput and Nuapada, providing a source of livelihood for people from the tribal community.
