There is so much income from the cultivation of this foreign fruit, even the government employees bow their heads, the government gives subsidy, profit is only profit!

Earlier this fruit used to grow only in special places which had cold temperatures. But now apart from these, its high-tech cultivation has also started in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh.

Dr. Pramod Kumar, agricultural scientist of Regional Research Center Chianki of Palamu district, said that sandy-loamy soil is considered best for strawberries. There should be good drainage in the field. The pH level around 5.5 to 6.5 remains ideal. For cultivation, planting from October to November is best because the plants like a temperature of 8–22°C. Before planting, the soil is made friable by plowing the field twice and adding cow dung/compost.

Most of the farmers cultivate strawberries with mulching paper (black poly sheet) and drip irrigation, which doubles the production and quality. About 18,000 – 22,000 plants are planted in one acre. Plants are planted in beds at a distance of 1.5–2 feet so that they get adequate air and sunlight.

Drip irrigation saves 50% of water and the plant takes proper nutrition from the roots. It is necessary to give NPK (19:19:19), organic compost and micronutrients at an interval of 20–25 days. Strawberries are sensitive to fungal diseases, hence it is important to use Trichoderma, Neem oil and mild fungicides timely.

Fruiting begins 60–75 days after transplantation and harvesting continues for about 2.5 to 3 months. A healthy plant can give fruits up to 250–400 grams, that is, an average production of 55–75 quintals is possible from one acre. Correctly shaped and shiny fruits fetch higher prices in the market.

The cost of strawberry cultivation is a little higher but the profits are manifold. In which different expenses are incurred on different things. For example, for improved variety it is ₹ 35,000–45,000 per acre, in mulching it is ₹ 18000, in drip irrigation it is ₹ 25,000 and in fertilizers and medicines it is about ₹ 15,000–20,000 and other expenses come to ₹ 20,000–25,000. Overall, the cost comes in the range of ₹1.2 lakh – ₹1.5 lakh (one acre).

Strawberry is a high-value crop, hence the government gives subsidy in many schemes. In which you can also avail the benefits of National Horticulture Mission (NHM / MIDH), 50–70% subsidy on drip irrigation, 40–50% subsidy on mulching paper, 25–40% assistance on sapling/planting material and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), heavy subsidy on drip irrigation installation, along with State Horticulture Mission.

If 60–70 quintals are produced in one acre and the average price of strawberries in the market is ₹150–₹250 per kg, then the total sales can be around ₹9 lakh – ₹14 lakh. Now considering the total cost to be around ₹ 1.5 lakh, the net profit would be around ₹ 7.5 lakh – ₹ 12 lakh per acre.