Innovative Farming Experiment Yields Remarkable Results, Exemplifies Professionalism in Agriculture Education
In a groundbreaking agricultural venture, students from Agriculture College Pune have achieved a remarkable feat by successfully cultivating strawberries within the urban landscape of Pune, defying conventional notions about the crop’s growth requirements.
Traditionally, strawberries are deemed to thrive in specific regions like Mahabaleshwar due to their sensitivity to climate and soil conditions. However, leveraging innovative techniques and guided by their academic pursuits, students at Agriculture College Pune have managed to harvest an impressive yield of 3 tonnes of strawberries from 20 gunthas of land, generating revenue exceeding ₹4 lakh over the past two months.
Under the guidance of Prof Subhash Bhalekar, the project took shape as part of Mahatma Phule Agricultural University’s initiative to foster hands-on learning experiences for agriculture graduates. Five different strains of strawberries were carefully selected and planted in October 2023, marking the initiation of this ambitious endeavor.
A dedicated team of approximately 80 final-year students pursuing B.Sc. in Agriculture and Horticulture has been diligently involved in every aspect of the project, from cultivation to sales management. The initiative marks a significant milestone as it represents the first instance of strawberry cultivation within Pune city by any educational institution.
Prof Bhalekar elaborated on the cultivation process, highlighting that the average fruit yield ranged from 350 to 450 grams per tree, with each tree producing approximately 15 to 20 fruits. Notably, the students achieved a daily harvest of 40 to 50 kilograms of strawberries, translating into a substantial daily income ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹15,000.
Sunil Masalkar, associate dean of the College of Agriculture Pune, commended the students’ efforts, emphasizing the importance of proper management and timing in cultivating sensitive crops like strawberries. He underscored the significance of this pioneering experiment, hinting at future endeavors to diversify agricultural practices by exploring the cultivation of other berries such as blueberries and raspberries.
As the success story of Agriculture College Pune’s strawberry cultivation project unfolds, it serves as a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of students in redefining agricultural practices and pushing the boundaries of possibility within urban farming environments.
