How to Grow Strawberries in India: Step-by-Step Cultivation Guide

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is Strawberry Production in India?
• What are the Steps to Grow Strawberries?
  • Soil & Climate
  • Propagation
  • Strawberry Varieties
  • Land Preparation
  • Planting Method
  • Manure & Fertilizers
  • Irrigation
  • Mulching
  • Disease & Pest Management
  • Harvesting & Yield
• Cost Economics of a Strawberry Farm

Introduction

Strawberry or Fragaria sp. is mainly grown in temperate regions. However, a subtropical climate is also ideal for some varieties. This delicate fruit is popular across the globe for its flavourful, fragrant sweetness. Its vibrant red colour makes it more appetizing. Not only this, these plump berries also have high nutritional value. Strawberries are a rich source of iron, Vitamin C and antioxidants. This is why they are in high demand worldwide. Strawberry farming in India is a highly lucrative business and can help farmers earn significant profits if done correctly.

What is Strawberry Production in India?

Wondering where is strawberry grown in India? Strawberry cultivation in India is mainly limited to hilly areas. Main areas known for growing strawberries are Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), Nainital and Dehradun district (Uttarakhand), Kashmir Valley, Kalimpong (West Bengal) and Bangalore. As per the Horticultural Statistics 2021 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, India produced a total of 19,840 MT during 2020-21. Here are the top 10 strawberry-producing states in India, along with their production:

What are the Steps to Grow Strawberries?

Here are the main steps involved in profitable strawberry farming in India:

Soil & Climate

Successful strawberry cultivation mainly requires temperate and subtropical climates. Environmental factors like light duration, intensity and temperature have a huge impact on strawberry plants. The ideal day temperature is 22 - 25⁰C, while it is 7 - 13⁰C during the night. All fertile lands can grow strawberries successfully; however, higher yields are obtained in sandy loam soil. The pH range of the soil should be in the range of 5 - 6.5. Also, they do not grow well in waterlogged soil.

Propagation

The commercial strawberry propagation is done with the help of runners. However, they can also transmit diseases to the strawberry plant. This is why runners should be produced in a separate bed. Runner production should be done in the soil where no strawberry has been grown in the last 3 – 4 years. For each strawberry plant, 30 to 40 runners are generally suitable for a satisfactory production rate.

Strawberry Varieties

Strawberry varieties in India include a few improved species to match the requirements of different regions and produce more yield. Some key strawberry varieties are Pajaro, Fern, Belrubi, Chandler, Torrey, Tioga and Selva. Other popular strawberry varieties in India include Local Jeolikot, Premier, Dilpasand, Katrain Sweet, Blakemore and Florida 90. The fruit size also depends on the type of strawberry cultivated.

Land Preparation

Friable soil is recommended for strawberry plantations. Thus, repeated ploughing is done on the land so that the soil crumbles easily while stubbles and weeds are removed. A combination of chloropicrin and methyl bromide is applied to prevent weeds and facilitate improved root system.

Planting Method

In which season strawberry grows in India? The strawberry growing season in India is August – September for hilly regions. The strawberry planting season for plain regions is October – November, and the fruit gets ready between February and March.

Well-rooted and healthy runners are plucked from the nursery and are then bundled and planted in the field. Before transplanting, they can also be put into cold storage. The roots of runners should be properly washed before planting.

Manure & Fertilizers

Strawberries are highly dependent on nutrients in high amounts. Before planting, the following quantities of resources are applied during land preparation in sub-tropical areas for every hectare:

• 1/3^rd of Nitrogen: 100 kg
• Phosphorous: 70 kg
• Potash: 150 kg

After 10 to 15 days of planting, the remaining nitrogen is provided with the help of the drip method in equal quantity.

Plant growth regulators or PGR boost the development and ripening of the fruit. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) is applied at the rate of 25 PPM to improve foliar spray, ascorbic acid, TSS, fruit weight and yield. At 50 PPM, it facilitates the development of runners and restrains flowering. Flower production can be increased with GA₃ @ 100 PPM. Chlormequat chloride (CCC) is a growth retardant that can be used to improve the opening of the first flower and fruit set.

Irrigation

In the 1^st year, irrigation is highly important after runners are planted and rooted. During strawberry growing time, the plant needs around 1 inch of water every week. Strawberries should be lightly irrigated at an interval of a few days as their roots develop in the top 6 - 10 inches of the ground. For autumn, this interval is 10 - 15 days, and it is 5 - 7 days during the summer season. There is no need for watering during harvesting time as it can turn the berries very soft.

Mulching

Weeds are removed using plastic sheets, herbicides or ploughing and harrowing. There is a need for mulching to prevent soil erosion, weed growth and winter damage. Light and loose material is most suitable for strawberry mulch. Some examples of popular mulching materials are sawdust, marsh hay and white straw. Weed control can be achieved with the help of black polythene material. However, the main challenge is that it needs to be removed and discarded from the field when each fruiting season ends.

Disease & Pest Management

Strawberry plants can wilt and die by getting infected with Verticillium wilt in dry weather. It can be managed by treating the soil with Chloropicrin @ 210 l/ha or Formalin @ 5000 l/ha. Due to Anthracnose, round and light grey/black leaf lesions can develop. It can be controlled through routine weeding and crop rotation with non-host crops. Grey mould and leaf spot are the main diseases observed in strawberry farming in India. Generally, applying Carbendazim or Thiophanate-methyl is helpful in these cases.  

Caterpillars, cutworms and white grubs are a major concern for the plant. Chlorpyriphos @ 1-2 ml per litre of water should be sprayed on the soil to manage white grubs. Crop rotation is helpful to avoid infestation of thrips. The use of Aldicarb (10G) @ 4-5 kg per hectare helps control red spider mites. If caterpillars appear, apply malathion (0.05%) or endosulfan (0.05%) to eliminate them.

Harvesting & Yield

Harvesting of strawberry takes place when the red colour develops on half to three-fourths of the skin. The fruit ripens towards the end of February in the plain region. During morning hours, picking is done every second or third day in small baskets or trays. The strawberry is plucked with the stem so that the berries remain untouched. Fruits need to be kept away from excessive heat to prevent damage.

The average yield is around 250 - 500 g per plant. Strawberries are stored in crates in piles, ensuring they do not get crushed among themselves. They can be kept in cold storage for 10 days at 32⁰C. For long-distance transport, the fruits need to be moved in refrigerated vans. The packing depends on the quality of the fruits. Baskets are used to pack lower-quality produce. Usually, they are kept in plastic punnets and packed in ventilated cardboard boxes or fibre trays.

Cost Economics of a Strawberry Farm

The following cost economics shows the estimated profit for a one-acre strawberry farm. It needs to be understood that these are approximate values based on market research and historical data.

Healthy strawberry harvest depends on ideal climate and soil conditions. Also, if strawberry cultivation is done properly, the average strawberry yield per acre can be around 8,000 kg. Given the selling price is INR 118 per kg, a farmer can earn a total of INR 9.44 lakhs. The profit will be more than INR 3.5 lakhs per acre. They can generate higher profits with strawberry cultivation compared to other types of crops.

Strawberry cultivation in India is gaining attention in recent years. This is mainly because of increased domestic and international demand. Also, this fruit offers quick returns, which is another benefit for farmers. As it does not demand large areas of land, even small-scale farmers can easily start strawberry farming. The production technology of strawberry is improving and now it involves the use of polyhouse and hydroponics. Adopt the best practices mentioned in this article and start a profitable strawberry cultivation business now.