From barren fields to berry dreams: Strawberry boom transforms Haryana’s arid belt

Harita is among three villages, along with Saharwa (Hisar) and Chanana (Bhiwani), that have turned sandy tracts into a thriving strawberry hub, expanding from a single acre of experimental cultivation in the 1990s to over 500 acres today.

The transformation began in 1996 when Dr Anil Godara, then a scientist at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), planted strawberries on one acre using Israeli techniques. Encouraged by success, he expanded to 10 acres and inspired farmers from neighbouring villages to take the plunge.

Today, these farmers collectively supply their harvest to Delhi’s Azadpur market, sharing transportation costs. “Three years ago, I earned Rs 9.75 lakh from just 2.25 acres,” says Nagil. “If the weather holds, one can make Rs 3–5 lakh per acre.” Some farmers, he adds, have even bought more land with their profits.

Strawberry farming here is no casual affair. Nagil has installed CCTV cameras for security and insists that the crop demands precision and daily care. “It’s a micro-managed form of agriculture,” he says.

Local farmers credit their success to Godara, who continues to guide them even after retiring as head of CCSHAU’s horticulture department. “Whenever we face a problem, we call him,” says Nagil.

Godara explains why the crop thrives here: “Light, well-drained soil and a mix of hot days and cool nights create ideal conditions.” The growing season runs from September to March, with one harvest per year. The strawberry saplings are planted between mid September and early November and the fruit is harvested in March. The fruit, he notes, is highly perishable, lasting just 1–5 days, so farmers rush it to market immediately after picking.

When actively farming, Godara imported plants from California because Hisar’s climate resembles that of California. “A good crop can yield up to 200 quintals per acre,” he says.

Over the years, land values have soared nearly 100-fold, from ₹30,000 per acre in the 1990s to ₹30 lakh now, reflecting the region’s agricultural makeover.

To sustain the momentum, Godara advocates creating a dedicated strawberry cluster and setting up a processing unit with pulping, quick-freezing, and storage facilities. “When there’s a bumper crop, farmers struggle with storage, and prices crash. Processing can change that,” he says.

The government is already moving in that direction. “We are developing a strawberry cluster under the Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency,” says Dr. Arjun Singh Saini, Project Director, Haryana Horticulture Department.

The nine-year initiative, he explains, aims to build a resilient supply chain, from farm to market, while promoting innovation and sustainability. Financial assistance and subsidies for strawberry farmers are part of the plan.

As the first saplings go into the ground this month, the sweet success story of these villages is still being written. From arid fields to berry gold, the transformation has just begun.

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