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Strawberry crop in state takes a beating

Constant weather change, rain and blight disease hit Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar farms

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The strawberries in Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar have gone sour. Thanks to the constant weather change and sudden rain, not only production but even sweetness has been hit. Strawberry Growers Association of India (SGWI) officials said that strawberry production at Wai area in the Satara district has been affected badly.

Moreover, heavy rain spells towards the end of the monsoon have affected production of the crop by 30 to 35 per cent this year.

Satara district accounts for 80% of strawberry production of the country. The fruit is grown mainly in Mahabaleshwar, Wai and Panchgani. The planting of strawberry saplings usually gets over by September-end. However, this year, the planting ended in November.

Strawberry Growers Association of India president Balasaheb Bhilare told dna, “Late monsoon rain affected the strawberry crop and the production will come down by 30 to 35% compared to last year. The plantation is hit by blight disease and it will further affect production as well.”

“Moreover, due to bad weather, sweetness of strawberry has also been affected. Most of the strawberry plant owners are complaining that the strawberries are not sweet and are sour. Our experts have also checked some of the plants and found that due to bad weather growth of strawberries was affected and hence it affects its sweetness,” Bhilare added. 

Presently, the fruit is being sold at Rs 120 to 130 per kg in the market in huge quantity. “Over 85% of the total production is sold as table fruit in the domestic market, while about 400 tonnes go for processing,” Bhilare said.

The mother saplings of strawberry are still imported from California in June before they are planted in nurseries. Each mother plant gives about five to six runners (stem that grows along the ground and puts down roots to form a new plant) that are replanted in the fields in September. 

Currently, the mother saplings of Rania, Nabila, Winter Dawn and Sweet Charlie varieties have been planted in the region. The average earning per acre of strawberries is about Rs80,000 to Rs1 lakh.

“However, this year most of the farmers are likely to get a lower amount than in previous years. Moreover, the sweetness of strawberries has also been affected. Thus, the demand is also not high in the market,” Bhilare added. 

Fruit in numbers
3,200 acres is the area in Bhilar, Busad, Kingar, Aawkali and surrounding villages in Satara district where strawberries are grown.
 
2,000 strawberry growers in Mahabaleshwar
 
20,000 to 25,000 tonnes produced in Mahabaleshwar every year
 
Rs 250 per kg is the fruit’s price at the beginning of winter and the rate falls to Rs 50 per kg towards the end of the season
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