Why Is This City Called The Strawberry Capital Of India?

While many associate India with tropical mangoes or spicy peppers, the cool mist of the Western Ghats conceals a different treasure. The picturesque hill station of Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra is undoubtedly the ‘Strawberry Capital of India,’ producing about 80% of the country's total strawberry crop.

Why Is Mahabaleshwar Called the Strawberry Capital of India?

The city has been given this name because of its unique micro-climate and laterite soil that has a high content of iron and minerals. The altitude of the place is also at 1,350 meters to accommodate the cool climate required for the fruit to attain high sweetness and its distinctive vibrant colour. In 2010, the Mahabaleshwar strawberry was given a ‘GI’ tag for legal purposes, which means the name ‘Mahabaleshwar strawberry’ can only be given to strawberries grown at this particular location.

History of Strawberry Farming in Mahabaleshwar

Strawberries are not native to the Indian subcontinent either. Their journey to the hills of Maharashtra is a fascinating tale of colonial nostalgia and local grit:

• The British Introduction: In the Late 19th century, during the British Raj, Mahabaleshwar functioned as the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency. British army officials who missed their country planted strawberry saplings in their gardens that they had brought back from Australia.

• The Transformation: While kitchen garden tests were initially for the elite classes, before long, local farmers were using this technique. The transformation of the fruit is such that by the early 20th century, these fruits were no longer confined to villa plots: they were appearing in fields.

• The Modern Boom: The 1990s saw a revolution in the industry with the introduction of high-yield varieties such as ‘Sweet Charlie’ and ‘Camarosa’ from California. The varieties were hardy and had a long shelf life, ensuring that the ‘Strawberry Capital’ could export its produce to major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi.

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Facts of Strawberry Farming in Mahabaleshwar

Strawberry cultivation is an extremely well-organised and scientific process in this region. The following are some important details regarding this process:

• The Production Scale: Every year, over 2,500 to 3,000 acres of land in Mahabaleshwar, as well as in the neighbouring town, known as Panchgani, is used for cultivation.

• Economic Impact: The industry supports almost 30,000 farmers and workers, thereby being the backbone of the economy.

• Drip Irrigation & Mulching: The farmers use advanced plastic mulching technology. They cover the soil surface with black plastic sheets, as this prevents the fruits from coming into contact with mud, keeping them clean without decaying.

• The Mother Plants: In each season, farmers do not rely only on seeds but import ‘mother plants’ (runners) from American, Italian, and Spanish nurseries. These imported plant runners are planted in October to guarantee a high-quality crop by November.

• A Zero-Waste Industry: While the region specialises in selling fresh fruits, a tremendous processing industry has also evolved here. Berries that are either of small size or have gone bad are transformed into jam, squash, crush, and syrup products that were first initiated by original local brands like Mapro.

Image credits: Freepik

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