Earnings of ₹3 to ₹4 lakhs per acre are possible.
60 farmers are cultivating strawberries.
Raipur, February 24, 2025/ Strawberry cultivation is becoming popular in the cold regions of Chhattisgarh. Due to its delicious taste and medicinal value, it is widely consumed. Many farmers in the Jashpur, Ambikapur, and Balrampur regions of the state are cultivating it. Currently, the strawberries are consumed locally. Farmers are increasingly attracted to this cultivation due to its profitability. An income of ₹3 to ₹4 lakhs can be generated from one acre of land.
In Jashpur district, 25 farmers initially started cultivating strawberries on 6 acres; now 33 farmers are cultivating strawberries on 42 acres. The Winter Dawn variety of strawberry plants has been planted in Jashpur. These farmers are receiving technical guidance and other assistance under the Horticulture Department’s National Horticulture Mission scheme. Farmers say that the quality of strawberries produced in Chhattisgarh is good, and because of local production, traders receive fresh fruit, resulting in good feedback. Under NABARD’s FSPFP scheme, the REEDS organization selected the villages of Sanna, Akrikan, Loro, Kopa, Laranga, and Maina in the Bagicha development block for strawberry cultivation. Production was better in 2023, yielding high-quality strawberries. Considering this, in 2024, the Horticulture Department connected farmers to strawberry production and provided support. Under the supervision of the REEDS organization, approximately 60 farmers are now cultivating strawberries.
8 to 9 times more profit compared to paddy
Strawberry cultivation is many times more profitable than paddy cultivation. While paddy cultivation requires fertile soil, ample water, and specific temperatures, strawberries can be grown in ordinary soil with normal irrigation. Paddy requires more maintenance, while strawberries require less, needing only a cool climate. While paddy yields approximately ₹50,000 per acre, strawberry cultivation can yield ₹3 to ₹4 lakhs, resulting in 8-9 times more income. Strawberry cultivation is suitable for the cold regions of Chhattisgarh, including Ambikapur, Korea, Balrampur, Surajpur, and Jashpur.
Fertile land is not essential
Jashpur farmer Shri Dhaneshwar Ram explained that he previously owned some land that wasn’t very fertile, almost barren. He could barely harvest any paddy. After receiving guidance from specialists, he started fruit cultivation, also receiving support from the NABARD organization.