Keonjhar: In the cool climate of the Keonjhar district, crops like tea, coffee, grapes, and apples have already seen successful cultivation. Now, for the first time, commercial strawberry farming has begun in the tribal-dominated Harichandanpur block of Keonjhar district where the tribals have reaped success from the cultivation. Around 60,000 strawberry plants have been planted across 6 acres of land with production already underway.
This has become possible due to government sponsorship under the Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission and necessary support by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Strawberry farming is proving to be a means of self-reliance for the tribal communities. Encouraged by this success, the district administration has planned to expand strawberry cultivation to 30 acres of land in Telkoi and Saharapada blocks from next year.
Sources said that in a pilot initiative, strawberry cultivation was carried out on 6 acre land in the Junga and Balanipashi villages of Junga panchayat in tribal dominated Harichandanpur block. Each plant is expected to yield up to 200 strawberries this year, with daily yields exceeding 20 kg.
In Keonjhar town, 200 grams of strawberries are being sold at Rs100. A single strawberry plant can bear fruit for up to three years. Following the positive results from this year’s trial, large-scale farming is expected to commence in Telkoi and Saharapada blocks in the upcoming season. The strawberries, which typically ripen before the peak of winter or summer, are considered a lucrative cash crop.
With proper management and continuous support from the livelihood mission, strawberry cultivation is emerging as a sustainable source of income for the local tribal population. Farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Junga and Balanipashi villages of Harichandanpur block in Keonjhar district have received assistance under the Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission. The support includes funding for incidental expenses, while organic fertilisers, pesticides, and drip-irrigation facilities have been provided by the ITDA.
Encouraged by the government’s support, tribal women from the villages have come forward and actively taken up strawberry farming. Sunita Phulguinya, the president of the Krupasindhu SHG, said the cultivation has provided a steady source of income for local women. “Our families have benefited significantly from strawberry farming. Initially, we were uncertain about its success in our region, but the produce is now fetching good prices in the market,” said Indumanti Bishal, a strawberry farmer.
During his recent visit to Keonjhar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi tasted the locally grown strawberries and honoured the local farmers for their efforts. Various outlets across the city are selling Keonjhar strawberries, with a packet priced at approximately Rs125. Consumers are also purchasing them in bulk at competitive rates.
PNN
