Gandhinagar, May 20: The Dang district has emerged as Gujarat’s largest strawberry-producing area. Under the state’s natural farming initiative, strawberry cultivation is on the rise, with farmers earning up to ₹800,000 per hectare annually.
According to government data, the area dedicated to strawberry farming increased from 20 hectares in 2022-23 to approximately 33 hectares in 2025-26. Production, which was 140 metric tons in 2022-23, is projected to rise to 196 metric tons in 2024-25, with an estimated 233 metric tons expected during 2025-26.
The state government attributes this growth to favorable climatic conditions, increasing market demand, and the adoption of natural farming methods in this tribal district. Officials noted that under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, Dang was declared the country’s first natural farming district, leading to widespread adoption of chemical-free farming practices among local farmers.
Strawberries thrive in the district’s cool climate and its sandy, loamy soil rich in organic matter. The crop requires well-drained soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.0, along with 8 to 12 hours of sunlight for flowering and fruit development. Ideal temperatures for cultivation range from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 7 to 13 degrees Celsius at night. Farmers in the district are cultivating nine varieties of strawberries, including Winter Dawn, Early Winter, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Nabila, Nabadi, Selva, Belrubie, and Pajero.
Among these, Winter Dawn has emerged as the most popular variety due to its excellent yield from December to March. Large-scale strawberry farming has begun in several villages of the Ahwa taluka, including Bhorpani, Borigavtha, Galakund, Kotmadar, Malegaon, Dabhass, Sonuniya, and Vanar. In the Waghai taluka, farming has expanded in villages like Kanchanpada, Ghodvahali, Murambi, and nearby areas.
The state’s horticulture department has organized training camps and educational tours to promote natural farming and modern agricultural techniques. Farmers are receiving subsidies of 55 to 75 percent on strawberry plants and related expenses. Assistance is also provided for mulching materials, plastic covers, crates, packing materials, and farming equipment like mini tractors, rotavators, cultivators, and trolleys. Many farmers who previously relied on industrial jobs and labor in Maharashtra’s fields have now turned to strawberry farming.
Traditional crops like rice, nagli, urad, and varai yielded limited income, but now strawberry cultivation allows farmers to earn approximately ₹700,000 to ₹800,000 annually per hectare. Initially sold mainly in local markets in Saputara and Ahwa, strawberries grown in Dang are now being sent to larger markets in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Bharuch. Officials further stated that the expansion of farming has also created seasonal employment opportunities for local residents.
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