Strawberry Cultivation in India: Varieties, Farming Process & Benefits

Table of Contents

• The Rise of Strawberry Farming in India
• The Sweet Benefits of Strawberries
• Which are the Top Strawberry Varieties Cultivated in India?
• How to Grow Strawberries: A Complete Cultivation Process
  • Soil & Climate
  • Propagation
  • Land Preparation
  • Planting Method
  • Manure & Fertilizer
  • Irrigation
  • Mulching
  • Pest & Disease Management
  • Harvesting & Yield
• Cost Economics of a Strawberry Farm
• Top 5 Strawberry Producing States in India
• The Bottom Line

The Rise of Strawberry Farming in India

Strawberry (Fragaria x Ananassa) is one of the important cash crops in India. This delicate fruit is popular for its flavorful, fragrant sweetness and tanginess. Its vibrant red color makes it more appetizing. Not only this, but these plump berries also have a high nutritional value. Strawberries are a rich source of iron, vitamin C, and antioxidants. This is why they are in high demand worldwide. It is mainly consumed fresh, but it is also used in food processing industries to make jams, juices, crush, beverages, jellies, purees, etc. Strawberry farming in India is a highly lucrative business and can help farmers earn significant profits if done correctly.

The Sweet Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are rich in taste, but they are also packed with many health benefits, making them one of the best fruits for daily intake. The major benefits of strawberries are listed below:

• Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which boosts immunity and increases the body’s ability to fight infections.
• Strawberries are rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from UV exposure and slow aging. This is the best anti-ageing food that supports collagen production and reduce wrinkles and dullness.
• These are rich in fibres which help regulate blood sugar levels and support heart health.
• These berries are healthy food options for better digestion, good gut health and weight management.

Which are the Top Strawberry Varieties Cultivated in India?

• Pajaro
• Fern
• Belrubi
• Chandler
• Torrey
• Tioga
• Local Jeolikot
• Dilpasand
• Katrain Sweet
• Blakemore
• Florida 90

How to Grow Strawberries: A Complete Cultivation Process

Strawberry cultivation requires several important steps for proper growth. The major steps to grow strawberries are:

Soil & Climate

Successful strawberry cultivation mainly requires temperate and subtropical climates. The ideal day temperature is 22 - 25°C, while it is 7 - 13°C 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 separate beds. 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.

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

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 & FertilizerManure & Fertilizer

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

• 1/3^rd of Nitrogen: 100 kg
• Phosphorous: 70 kg
• Muriate of 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.

IrrigationIrrigation

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.

MulchingMulching

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.

Pest & Disease ManagementPest & Disease Management

Harvesting & Yield

Harvesting strawberries 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.

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 ₹118 per kg, a farmer can earn a total of ₹9.44 lakhs. The profit will be more than ₹3.5 lakhs per acre. They can generate higher profits with strawberry cultivation compared to other types of crops.

Top 5 Strawberry Producing States in India

According to the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Animal Husbandry, the total production of strawberries in India in 2024-2025 was 26.93 thousand metric tonnes. Maharashtra was the leading producer of strawberries in 2024-25. The top strawberry producing states are:

The Bottom Line

Strawberry farming is a profitable venture for farmers in India. With growing demand for strawberries and potential for higher returns, farmers are adding more strawberries to their fields. With right method of planting, growing and harvesting, farmers can earn huge profits with this tropical fruit.