The mountainous region of Mahabaleshwar, located in western India, serves as the hub for the nation's strawberry production, accounting for approximately 85% of its total output. Benefiting from high altitudes and cool growing seasons, the area has become a significant horticultural center. However, local farmers face substantial challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns and a heavy dependence on imported plant varieties from countries such as the United States, Spain, Italy, and Florida.

Because India currently lacks indigenous strawberry cultivars, propagators like Nelson Sequeira of Tara Farms Fresh must import certified mother plants. These are then cultivated in specialized nurseries using coco-peat substrates and precise irrigation systems to produce daughter plants for local growers. To address this reliance, researchers at the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) agricultural university are collaborating with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Their project uses gamma irradiation to induce genetic mutations, aiming to develop a climate-resilient, indigenous variety capable of withstanding Indian heatwaves.

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In the private sector, some growers are turning to high-tech solutions to mitigate the risks of open-field farming, where heavy rains can destroy entire harvests. Ketan Yashwant Sodha of Berry Fresh Agrotech has implemented hydroponic systems and polyhouses, allowing for year-round production and precise control over nutrient intake. Similarly, farmer Krishan Bhilare and his Farmer Producer Organisation are utilizing AI-driven weather monitoring to protect crops and vertical farming towers to increase plant density fivefold per acre.

Despite these advancements, the transition remains difficult for smaller operations. Sheetal Danavle, a local farmer, noted that while high-tech methods can be successful, they carry significant financial risks, particularly after a 2017 cyclone destroyed her hydroponic setup. Danavle has since pivoted to a direct-to-consumer model, using social media to attract tourists to her farm and bypass traditional intermediaries.

Source: BBC News