Better awareness about the nutrient-rich fruit is driving demand

The Nilgiris, known for its teas, potatoes, carrots and a range of exotic vegetables, is witnessing farmers going in for strawberries too.

Strawberry plants were grown in the Nilgiris, especially in Thambatty area, as early as 100 years ago, says Premnath Mahalingam, director of Strawberry District.

According to Shiva Subramaniam Samraj, Joint Director of Horticulture, the Nilgiris, in the last three to four years, the area under strawberry cultivation has increased to about 25 acres in the district.

Though strawberry cultivation is risky, demanding investment and maintenance, the market is growing and farmers are slowly getting into it. Farmers get the saplings from different States and some firms import them, too.

Short-duration crop

It is a high-value, short-duration crop and the strawberries picked from the Nilgiris gardens are sold across the country, adds Premchand, director, Samberry Exotics Pvt. Ltd.. He has 7-8 acres under strawberry cultivation and plans to get into contract farming and organic strawberries this year.

Even the varieties grown in Europe and California can be raised in the Nilgiris, it is learnt. The demand for strawberries is high in the southern States and there are farmers who sell in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai also, says Mr. Premnath, who has two acres under strawberry.

Better awareness among consumers about the nutrient-rich fruit is driving demand, he says. After June, when production declines in the other States, strawberries from the Nilgiris are sold across the country, he adds. A majority of the strawberry produce in the country comes from Mahabaleshwar.

No value addition

However, there is no harvest in that region from June to November. The fruit is harvested throughout the year only in the Nilgiris. Farmers and companies that are into strawberry cultivation in the Nilgiris prefer selling the fruit rather than going in for value addition, he says.

The fruits are of better quality if the crop is grown under controlled conditions. The initial cost of investment is high, though that varies depending on the variety. Farmers should have a polyhouse and take up mulching. They should be able to tie up directly for marketing, adds Mr. Samraj.

The Tamil Nadu government had come out with a scheme to support strawberry farmers. However, the farmers have sought higher financial support from the government, he says.

Mr. Premchand points out that the annual harvest from one acre is almost 10,000 kg. About 30,000 saplings can be planted in one acre and the investment required is ₹3 lakh.

“The Horticulture Department officials in the State visited my farm recently.

“I requested them to provide at least 50% subsidy to farmers for initial investment and financial support to go in for hydroponics and mulching. This will make the strawberry attractive to more farmers,” he says.