STRAWBERRY CULTIVATION IS FAST BECOMING POPULAR IN ISLAMPUR

By Partha Chatterjee (TNI Siliguri)  | Edited By D. Prasun (TNI Siliguri)

Webdesk, TNI Islampur 8^th May, 2016: Some test farming is being carried out at Islampur Subdivision by growing Strawberry. The areas where the test farming is being carried out are Chopra, Islampur, Goakpokhor, Chakulia etc. The pineapple and tea were already there. Now the additional strawberry farming has brought in a ray of hope as an alternative source of income. Farmers like Srikant Mandal, Ramprasad Sarkar, Bijay Das and many others are looking forward towards this new crop in this area. Though a western crop but off late those were grown in India too. In 2013, two farmers of Islampur Block first tried this crop to grow here. Currently, 40 such farmers are in this cultivation. The Agricultural Science Centre of North Dinajpur is also lending scientific support for its cultivation. Agricultural Scientist Smt. Moutushi Dey said that here Sweet Charlie variety of Strawberry is more preferred for its sweetness. The other variety known as Tioga is not easily available. The Sweet Charlie variety of Strawberry seeds is brought from Ranaghat. Recently, the strawberry produced here was being used in Sweetmeats, which became a hit among the sweet lovers. It is expected that more farmers will try in this new crop. Though mainly the crop is mostly grown in winter but little heat is also not a hindrance for its growth.

Photo: Partha Chatterjee (TNI)