SANGUEM
The first harvest of fresh strawberries from Goa’s own strawberry farms at Verlem and Tudov villages has just commenced, making it one of the prime places to visit during this season.
Ever since the harvesting season began some fifteen days ago, visitors have begun flocking to the hilly areas of Verlem and Tudov in Netravali to have a first glimpse of the fresh strawberries.
The hilly areas of Verlem and Tudov have four Self-Help Groups (SHGs) involved in strawberry cultivation and have been doing extremely well in the production of strawberries for the last few years.
The main advantage for the farmers here is that the produce is directly sold at the farm itself, and the farmers are not required to run to places to search for consumers.
Subhash Velip, Chairman of Gram Vikas Yojana, informed that the farmers are provided with the seeds free of cost by the association, which are procured from Mahabaleshwar. The farmers are also provided with technical know-how in the production of strawberries whenever required.
At the farms, visitors get access to the farms on the payment of a visitor’s entry fee of Rs 20 and also get to choose the strawberries before they decide to buy. A packet of strawberries is sold at Rs 80 per packet.
Velip informed that the farmers are very happy with the produce they get from the strawberry plantation and in recent times have also laid their hands on apple plantation.
The apple plants are slowly growing, and it may take another couple of years for the trees to bear fruit. The farmers who have undertaken the apple plantation have kept their fingers crossed and are eagerly waiting to see their hard efforts bear fruit.
