Team Herald
SANGUEM: Sanguem’s strawberry farmers have ended their season on a high note, with a surge in tourist footfalls and a bumper harvest they managed to sell directly from their fields. The farmers in Verlem and Tudov wards of Netravali village had
initially taken up the idea
of cultivating strawberries in 2013.
Despite initial success, the following two years saw little yield, and the crop was abandoned. However, with the help of the Atal Adarsh Gram Vikas Yojana project in 2016, the strawberries made a comeback.
Thanks to guidance from Rahul Bhitale, an expert in strawberry cultivation, and fresh seeds from Wai
Mahabaleshwar, the yield surpassed expectations, and the farmers never looked back.
Today, the strawberry farms have become a permanent fixture in the village, along with other crops such as tomatoes, chillies, and gooseberries. This year, the farmers added cauliflower to their offerings, which sold out quickly. What’s more, they sold their produce directly at the farm, without incurring any cost on transportation and packing. The income generated from the sale of strawberries and other vegetables, along with entry fees from visitors to the farms, provides a decent income for the farmers.
“Since the start of strawberry cultivation, the village has seen a considerable increase in tourist flow, making Netravali a must-visit destination during the strawberry season, which starts in November-December and ends in March-April,” said farmer Satish Gaonkar from Tudov. The village has now added another novelty – the cultivation of apple trees, introduced by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, which has partnered with the same Self-Help Groups that undertake strawberry plantation.
The farmers themselves are thrilled with the outcome of this year's strawberry season. They have managed to turn their fortunes around and create a thriving business that not only benefits them but also the community at large. “The strawberry farms are here to stay,” beamed farmer Vidhya Gaonkar.