Farmers are becoming rich by leaving sugarcane and wheat and cultivating strawberries.

By adopting technology and new thinking in farming, farmers and agricultural laborers are now earning huge income. The latest example of this is being seen in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, where farmers are leaving traditional sugarcane and wheat cultivation and turning to expensive and profitable crops like strawberry. Farmers of Morna and Shukratal areas are reaching new heights of expectations due to this change.

Growing expectations from strawberries

Farmer Gopal Saini of Bhopa village has chosen this new path in farming. Despite being less educated, Gopal has changed his fortunes on the basis of self-confidence and innovation. He took several bighas of land on contract near Ganganahar bridge and started cultivating expensive crops. This time he brought 14,000 strawberry plants from Shimla and planted them in his two bighas of land in the month of September. The crop is expected to be ready by February and March.

Gopal says that the quality of his strawberries is better than other strawberries sold in the area, due to which the traders of Muzaffarnagar Mandi are showing interest in coming to his farms and buying the goods.

Strawberry cultivation method

Gopal has adopted scientific method for strawberry cultivation:

1. row spacing: A distance of two and a half feet is kept between two rams and 14 inches between plants.
2. use of polythene: Polythene has been used in the field to protect the fruits from rotting and pests.
3. protection from pesticides: No harmful chemicals or pesticides were used on strawberries.
4. production estimate: Each plant is expected to produce 400-500 grams of strawberries.

Gopal told that if the demand in the market increases further, then next year they are planning to grow strawberries in four acres of land.

Challenges and Solutions

There are many challenges in strawberry cultivation. Due to the red and attractive fruits, nilgai, jackals, rabbits and birds damage the crop. For this, Gopal and his son Yogesh have to guard the farm 24 hours.

Gopal believes that if other farmers of the area also move away from traditional farming and adopt such crops, their income can increase manifold.

Growing popularity of strawberries

• In view of the increasing demand for strawberries, traders from the markets are coming to the farms to make deals.
• Due to the better quality of the strawberries grown, it can be sold at a good price not only in the local market but also at other places.

Message of innovation in agriculture

This initiative of Gopal Saini and other farmers shows that better profits can be earned by cultivating expensive and modern crops instead of traditional crops. Adoption of new technology and thinking will not only provide economic benefits to the farmers, but will also establish a new direction of agriculture in the region.