Drought has swept through parts of India, causing crops to wither and distressing farmers. Yet, in the northern Indian province of Kashmir, strawberry farmers are expecting an unusually productive harvest this year, due to favourable weather conditions for cultivation.
Strawberries are a new crop for Kashmir Valley farmers, who now cultivate at least 86 hectares of the fruits after switching from the traditional paddy rice crop half a decade ago with the support of the state Horticultural Department.
The berries are mainly sold in the northern Indian states and Delhi, fetching between 80-150 rupees ($1.20-2.25) per kilogram, with over 1,000 tons produced annually, according to The Indian Express newspaper.
Kashmiri strawberries normally start growing after half a year of brutally cold winters - in which temperatures plunge below -15 degrees Celsius - but warmer averages this year have ushered in the bumper crop.
"We are witnessing an increase in strawberry production due to favorable weather this season. Last year, the production was 1,200 metric tonnes but this year it will be more than that," said Sonam Norbu, the Kashmiri Director of Horticulture.
Source: laht.com