Strawberry Production in India

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Agriculture

Why in news?

Hyderabad’s winter berry season has brought a wave of creative strawberry desserts, making the city a paradise for berry lovers.

Scientific name – Fragaria vesca
Climate – It grows well in temperate and sub-tropical areas of the country.
Temperature – Daylight period of 12 hours or less and moderate temperature are important for flower-bud formation.
Soil – Sandy loam to loamy soil with good drainage and pH 5.7-6.5 is ideal for cultivation.
Season – Planting in October–November; harvesting begins in December–January.
Major Producing States – Maharashtra (85% of total output), followed by Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Punjab, whereas Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Jammu (under irrigated conditions).

Maharashtra’s Mahabaleshwar region being the country’s strawberry capital.

Varieties Cultivated in India – Chandler, Tioga, Torrey, Selva, Belrubi, Fern and Pajaro.
Other varieties include Premier, Red cost, Local Jeolikot, Dilpasand, Bangalore, Florida 90, Katrain Sweet, Pusa Early Dwarf & Blakemore.
Production – India produced approximately 19,840 MT of strawberries in the 2020-21 season, with production continuing to rise as modern farming techniques like polyhouses and hydroponics gain traction.
Economic Importance – Strawberries are a nutrient-rich, high-value crop with strong domestic demand, expanding export opportunities, and versatile processing applications.
Challenges – Short shelf life, pest & disease management, limited awareness on modern cultivation practices, etc.

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