India wants to integrate the main strawberry producers

On July 30, 2026, the Mahabaleshwar region, in western India, stood out as the country's leading strawberry cultivation hub. The altitude above 1,000 meters guarantees a cool season from November to March, but production remains vulnerable to heavy rains.

Challenges of traditional strawberry production

Producers need to replace the plants each season, as strawberries do not reproduce by seed. Sheetal Danavle, who cultivates half of her three-acre farm, reports that a strong rain can ruin the entire harvest, causing massive losses. The annual cost of acquiring young seedlings reaches US$2,500, and although the return can double the investment in a good season, the climate turns the activity into a high risk.

Import of seedlings and propagation system

Most varieties grown in the region are imported from California, Florida, Italy and Spain, since no locally developed cultivar exists yet. Nelson Sequeira, founder of Tara Farms Fresh, explains that certified mother seedlings are brought from abroad, undergo government quarantine, and are planted in nurseries. Each mother plant generates, on average, 20 daughter seedlings, potentially reaching 30 or 40 in advanced cases. The seedlings are cultivated in industrial tubes split in half, filled with coconut-peat substrate and irrigated by drip and misting systems that control the microclimate.

Research on native cultivars with gamma radiation

Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), in partnership with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), is developing genetic improvement experiments using low-dose gamma irradiation on plant tissues. The goal, according to Professor Darshan Shashank Kadam, is to accelerate the emergence of the first Indian climate-resistant cultivar, combining size and texture similar to foreign varieties but adapted to local heat waves. The process may take 10 to 15 years, but has already resulted in standardized scientific packages of planting calendars, fertilizer recommendations and growth regulator guidelines for Mahabaleshwar conditions.

Innovations in hydroponics and greenhouse cultivation

Ketan Yashwant Sodha, from Berry Fresh Agrotech, abandoned open-field cultivation after recurring losses during peak seasons. Since 2022, he has been testing hydroponics in a semi-open polyhouse, rigorously controlling water, nutrients, light and temperature. Limiting irrigation to 75 ml per plant per day favors sugar and aroma concentration. The team conducts "blood tests" on leaves to adjust nutrition. They have already tested 19 varieties, including Japanese ones and a specific Dutch variety, and plan to expand production to five acres, accommodating 200,000 plants.

Use of technology and AI for monitoring

Krishan Bhilare, a member of a Producer Organization (FPO), installed towers equipped with artificial intelligence that analyze climate data to forecast rain. This information allows postponing sprays and preventing chemicals from being washed away. In addition, the FPO developed vertical towers with coconut-peat substrate in five layers, increasing planting density from 25,000 to 125,000 plants per acre. The experiment showed complete success, producing organic fruits, reducing labor and pesticide costs.

Even faced with challenges such as cyclones that destroyed hydroponic installations, some farmers, like Sheetal Danavle, returned to the traditional method, but now use social media to share techniques, attract tourists and sell directly to consumers, reducing intermediaries and increasing profit margins.

With information from BBC News.