Strawberry grower exhorts deportees from US to venture into horticulture

Jaskaran Singh, a strawberry grower from Kauni village in Gidderbaha block here, has asked US deportees not to lose hope and start venturing into horticulture, which may fetch them rich dividends, name and fame.

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Jaskaran, who has expanded strawberry cultivation from 1 acre in 2012 to 8 acres at present, has earned accolades from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). He said strawberry cultivation might help them earn Rs 4-6 lakh per acre annually. The farmer, who has employed around 35 persons, said the US deportees or anyone else could visit him to know about strawberry farming and available subsidies.

“I was an ordinary farmer till 2012. Hardly anyone outside my village knew me when I was just growing paddy and wheat crops. However, now I have carved a niche for myself. I also met former CM Parkash Singh Badal. I appeal to all our youngsters, who got deported from the USA recently, to come and visit my fields to get technical knowledge about strawberry farming and start earning well,” he said.

“Two boys, who recently returned from Australia, came to my fields to learn about strawberry farming. People are mostly hesitant to reveal their professional secrets to anyone, but I don’t have any problem in sharing my expertise,” he said.

Strawberry cultivation on an acre needs 25,000 plants, which are transported from Wai in Maharashtra, costing nearly Rs 2.5 lakh. The labour costs around Rs 1-1.5 lakh per year. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, fetching a price of Rs 200-250 per kg. “My expenses are roughly Rs 4 lakh per acre. The plantation begins in mid-September and lasts till mid-October. The fruit gets ready within four months and its picking lasts till April,” said Jaskaran.

Apart from strawberry, Jaskaran also cultivates melons, watermelons and vegetables. He has also leased out some of his land for wheat and paddy crops.

He said sudden changes in weather posed challenge to strawberry cultivators. Poly tunnels and drip irrigation system were used for strawberry farming, he added.

“This year, the average per acre yield is 50 quintals, which is 20 per cent lower than the last year, however, the prices are high and compensating for it,” he said.