VALPOI
Different types of fruits have started being grown in Sattari taluka. The famous strawberries from Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra is now developed by Sham Gaonkar at Satre in Sattari taluka. The climate of Sattari taluka may be playing a major role in the cultivation of these fruits. After planting strawberries at Satre, now the planting of cherries at Shelpe in Nagargaon Panchayat area has been successful.
The cherry tree is currently flourishing in the Valpoi Botanical Valley farm.This has proved that the cultivation of cherries in Sattari taluka can be successful.
It is known that cherries are grown in places with cold climate. It is very successful in areas like Kashmir. This product is in great demand in the market. However, in the Valpoi Botanical Velley farm, the cherry tree is now in full bloom. This has proved to be an example of successful cherry cultivation in Sattari taluka.
When contacted, Rakesh Singh, an official of the farm, said that the cherries were planted in December 2000. About three months ago, the tree had good amount of flowers. "Currently, the flowers have turned into fruits and so far we have harvested more than three kg of fruits," he said.
When asked about the overall taste of these fruits, he clarified that the fruits currently available in the market have a better taste than these. Rakesh Singh speculates that the taste may have been better due to the nutrients in the soil of Sattari taluka. Singh clarified that the tree has borne fruit after about 18 months and emphasis will be laid on such cultivation in the near future.
Singh said that at present, cherries are widely used in the market for ice cream cakes and as dry fruit.
He said that the cherries produced in the orchard are attractive and white and red in colour. At present, the tree is about two metres high and care is being taken to retrict its growth. Research is being carried out on this plant in the Valpoi Botanical Valley farm and the focus will be on how this type of cultivation can be more successful in the future, said Singh.
Valpoi Botanical Valley Farm is famous for its variety of plants being researched in the field of agriculture. There are different varieties of mangoes in this farm which have also been successful.
