Strawberry Cultivation: Farmers Earn Millions with ₹1 Lakh Subsidy in Surguja

• Farmers in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, are earning significant profits from strawberry cultivation, supported by the Horticulture Department.
• Lal Bahadur Singh, a farmer, successfully transitioned from paddy to strawberries, initially earning ₹1 lakh profit from 50 dismil and now expecting ₹6-7 lakh from 2.5 acres.
• The Horticulture Department provides a total subsidy of up to ₹1 lakh per hectare, including ₹80,000 for cultivation and ₹20,000 for mulching.
• Strawberries are selling for around ₹400 per kg wholesale, making it a highly profitable crop.
• The 'Winter Dawn' variety is popular, and farmers are advised to use drip irrigation and mulching for better quality and yield.

Why It Matters: Strawberry cultivation in Surguja, supported by subsidies, is transforming farmers' incomes and agricultural practices.