India wants to join the strawberry superpowers

Mahabaleshwar, a mountainous region in western India, hosts around 85% of the country's strawberry farms. The area's high altitude and well-drained soil create an ideal environment for cultivating strawberries between November and March. However, the farming process is labor-intensive and risky, as heavy rains can destroy the entire crop.

Sheetal Danavle, a strawberry farmer, spends about $2,500 (£1,900) each year on new plants, as the plants are not grown from seed. Despite the challenges, the industry thrives, with thousands of farmers growing and exporting strawberries. Currently, most Indian strawberry cultivars are imported from abroad, as no domestic varieties exist. The process involves importing certified mother plants and growing daughter plants, which are then sold to farmers.

Agricultural experts are working to develop an indigenous strawberry cultivar that can withstand Indian heatwaves while maintaining large fruit size and firm texture. Researchers at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) are experimenting with controlled, low-dose gamma irradiation to induce stable genetic mutations in strawberry plant tissues. This process could yield a new, climate-resilient strawberry variety in 10 to 15 years.

Meanwhile, some farmers are turning to innovative farming techniques, such as hydroponics, to mitigate the risk of crop failure due to unpredictable weather. Berry Fresh Agrotech, founded by Ketan Yashwant Sodha, uses hydroponic systems to grow strawberries year-round with tightly controlled growing conditions. The company has already established a trial facility and is seeking investors to expand operations.