SANGUEM: The hilly wards of Tudov and Verlem in Sanguem's thickly forested Netravali village have once again come to life. Their verdant strawberry plantations are buzzing with activity amid firm hopes of yet another bumper harvest, and immense contribution to Goa's eco-tourism sector.
Over the last six years, three local self-help groups have created a revolution of sorts by turning small portions of the rich and fertile hilly land into strawberry farms. With their efforts reaping fruit - all red and delicious - they have long moved on since the heartbreak they suffered in 2013 when they first ventured, albeit unsuccessfully, into strawberry farming with the support of the Mineral Foundation of India.
They returned with a renewed vigour five years later, in 2018, this time with support from the Atal Adarsh Gram Vikas Yojana, and have not looked back since.
Come December and one gets to see several vehicles and tourists rushing towards Tudov and Verlem to get a first-hand experience of strawberry plantations and enjoy the freshly plucked fruit.
"The plucking of strawberries has only just begun and will last for the next two to three months. This is the right time to visit the plantations," farmer Satish Gaonkar said. The first harvest has been in the plucking stage since the last 15 days, he added.
On payment of a mere Rs 10 entry fee per head, visitors are shown around the farms by members of the self-help groups concerned - which largely comprise women - and are told about the intricacies involved in the production of strawberries. They are even allowed to pick and relish ripe fruit.
Freshly harvested strawberries are presently sold at Rs 80 per packet at the farm. Saplings are also on sale at Rs 50 each. “Just like the past year, we have assisted the farmers in obtaining saplings directly from Mahableshwar," Atal Adarsh Gram Vikas Yojana chairman, Subhash Velip, said. "They are provided to the farmers free of cost and greatly helps them overcome the major cost involved in strawberry cultivation.”
Annual turnover over the past couple of years is around Rs 10-12 lakh, which has boosted the otherwise poor financial condition of the farmers there. "The venture indirectly boosts the livelihood of at least 100 local families," Velip said.