Marayoor: Strawberry farms are in full bloom in the hilly areas of Idukki district. However, as it is not possible to sell these in the market due to the COVID-19 lockdown, strawberries are being used to make value-added products.

Strawberries are widely cultivated at Perumala, Kulachivayal, Kanthaloor, and Vettukad villages. These organic strawberries fetch around Rs 200 to Rs 350.

Due to the poor sales, these strawberries are now being used to make value-added items such as wine, jam and squash.

A litre of strawberry wine costs Rs 500 and a 400gm jam bottle costs Rs 200.

The agricultural department had distributed the saplings at minimal rates for encouraging strawberry cultivation in the area. Farmers opined that strawberry cultivation was more profitable than other fruits.

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