Strawberry farming flourishes in Odisha’s Koraput as farmers shift from traditional crops

In a fresh turn towards progressive farming in Odisha, several farmers in Koraput district have shifted from traditional crops and turned to cultivating the queen of berries, with several acres of farmland now being dedicated to growing the prized fruit.

Farmers belonging to the Kauguda village of the district have taken the biggest leap in this regard, with 25 acres of land in the area, involving over 30 tribal families, now cultivating strawberries. The shift is more remarkable as these farmers had grown traditional crops like rice and ragi for decades before switching to strawberries.

The Horticulture Department is providing all necessary assistance and guidance to local farmers to cultivate high-value strawberries on their land, highlighting the district's favourable climate and soil conditions.

“I had never seen or heard about strawberries but officials from the horticulture department taught me about the feasibility and advantages of cultivating it which is why I decided to grow strawberries,” said Raimati Gadaba, a farmer from Kuagada.

“This is new for us but we have understood that it will be very beneficial in the long run so we are toiling day and night to reap harvests within three months,” added Sadan Jani, another local farmer.

Meanwhile, officials of the horticulture department as well as farmers remain optimistic and expect to start harvesting strawberries within three months, with an estimated income of Rs 200 to Rs 300 per kilogram or Rs 3 to ₹Rs 4 lakh per acre.

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“The Odisha Rural Development And Marketing Society (ORMAS) as well as the Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO) is investing all necessary resources to encourage strawberry cultivation in Koraput. We are in touch with markets from Bhubaneswar to Delhi to ensure optimal sale figures,” stated Sudam Biswal, Deputy Director of Koraput Horticulture Department.

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Biswal also added that his department is now extending full support and motivating farmers across other parts of Koraput to adopt this crop and revolutionize farming practices in Odisha while making the farmers self-sufficient.