Munnar: The local farmers of Vattavada have made a major transition from cultivating winter vegetables to bright red strawberries. The fact that strawberries give more produce and income without actually costing much is what luring farmers to take up strawberry farming this season.
The hybrid strawberry saplings cultivated at Vattavada can be reaped within a month and fruits can be collected everyday from the strawberry fields. A single sapling will bear fruits for at least six years.
During tourist season, the fruits reaped here will be completely sold. A kilo of strawberries would cost Rs 400. Homemade strawberry jam which costs Rs 200 for half a kilo too has many takers. The farmers here do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides and vouches that their plump and juicy strawberries are cultivated using organic fertilizers like cow dung.
Painting Kanthalloor red
Crimson strawberries color the Kanthalloor mounts, Marayoor , red as berry farming is becoming increasing popular and lucrative these days. Around 32,000 strawberry saplings were distributed to the farmers at Kanthalloor by Krishi Bhavan as part of a project initiated by the Kerala State Horticulture Mission to promote strawberry farming.
