Bihar Sees Surge in Strawberry Cultivation as High-Value Varieties Gain Popularity
05 April 2024, New Delhi: Bihar, renowned for its diverse agricultural practices, is experiencing a remarkable expansion in strawberry cultivation. This growth can be attributed to the introduction of high-value strawberry varieties by Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) in Bhagalpur. Since its inception in 2010, the strawberry project at BAU has aimed to promote scientific farming techniques and foster agri-entrepreneurship among local farmers, leading to their socio-economic upliftment. D R Singh, the vice-chancellor of BAU, emphasized the increasing popularity of strawberries in the region.
Ruby Rani, a scientist in the Department of Horticulture and the principal investigator of the project, revealed that extensive research evaluating 19 strawberry varieties identified ‘Festival’, ‘Sweet Charlie’, ‘Winter Dawn’, ‘Cama Rosa’, ‘Nabila’, and ‘Chandler’ as well-suited for Bihar’s climatic conditions.
The project has successfully involved over 80 farmers in strawberry cultivation, enhancing their income potential. The cultivation process commences from October to mid-November and involves the application of dissolved fertilizers through irrigation. Fruiting occurs between December and January, with harvesting extending until mid-April. The high value and short-duration harvest cycle of strawberries have attracted new farmers to engage in strawberry cultivation across the state.
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