Begusarai: In a remarkable shift from traditional farming, farmers in Begusarai have embraced strawberry cultivation, proving that Bihar’s soil is just as capable of growing the fruit as Maharashtra or Jammu & Kashmir. What started as an experiment inspired by YouTube videos and government incentives has now turned into a highly profitable venture. Farmers who once saved only ₹30,000 per acre in a season from wheat and maize are now earning ₹1 lakh per month from strawberries.
Strawberries are traditionally grown in cooler regions like Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir, but farmers in Begusarai were determined to break the norm. “Many believed that strawberry farming was impossible in Bihar, let alone Begusarai. But we insisted, and today, the results speak for themselves,” said Rajesh Kumar Mahato, a farmer from Parwanda village in Veerpur block.
Currently, strawberries are being cultivated on around 30 acres in the district. The locally grown fruit is being sold from Patna to Siliguri, making it more affordable for residents while expanding market reach. Encouraged by the success, more farmers are showing interest, and experts predict that cultivation could double next year.
Rajesh Kumar Mahato first got the idea for strawberry farming through YouTube. Encouraged by district agricultural officials, he planted strawberries on two acres of land in October with a total investment of ₹1 lakh. The government subsidized mulching, drip irrigation, and seeds, making the experiment viable.
“We were told the crop would last until February, but with shade nets, we can extend the season until April,” Mahato explained. So far, he has sold strawberries worth ₹6 lakh, despite some challenges with drip irrigation and chemicals affecting certain farms.
The biggest challenge, farmers say, is the lack of a local market and processing units. “During Holi, we had leftover stock, so we made 60 kg of strawberry jam. But without proper branding, we couldn’t sell it at a premium price,” said Mahato.
If the government helps set up a processing unit, farmers believe their profits will increase further. Currently, 10 laborers are employed full-time, and protective nets have been installed to keep birds away from the crops.
The strawberries are sold locally at ₹150 per carton, but in Siliguri, the same carton sells for ₹300. Despite a transportation cost of just ₹20 per carton, the profit margin is significantly higher in external markets.
Farmers also receive packaging support from Bihar’s Horticulture Department, which includes the official Bihar Government logo.
However, they faced some challenges. “We were not given the right seeds, which impacted yield. If we had received Chakla variety seeds, we could have doubled our savings,” Mahato added. Even so, farmers estimate that earnings from one bigha could reach ₹10 lakh.
Currently, farmers are harvesting two quintals of strawberries daily and aim to make the fruit available to every household in Begusarai. Thanks to their efforts, strawberries that once cost ₹200 per kg are now available for just ₹100 per kg locally.
“Even with lower local rates, we still save ₹1 lakh per month after expenses. Our goal is to keep expanding strawberry farming so that more farmers can benefit, laborers can earn fair wages in their villages, and migration for work can be reduced,” Mahato emphasized.
According to Anil Kumar, Assistant Director (Horticulture), the government is actively promoting strawberry farming under the Horticulture Collector Scheme. Farmers receive ₹2 lakh per acre in two installments as financial support.
“Right now, strawberries are being grown on 25 acres, but we expect that number to increase to 60 acres next year. The profit margin is excellent, with some farmers earning ₹10 lakh per acre per season. Among all fruits, strawberries have the shortest growing period, making them extremely beneficial for farmers,” Kumar said.
With increasing awareness and government support, Begusarai is fast becoming a hub for strawberry cultivation, proving that innovative farming can bring prosperity to even the most unexpected places.
