Koraput: The winds of change have started to blow across the Kotia region in Pattangi Block of Koraput District. The once remote area along the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, is well on its way to becoming the strawberry hub of the state. With the active involvement of the district administration and a strong will power of the farmers, the seeds of change have started giving fruits.
Started a few months ago as an experiment by the Koraput District administration to train the local farmers to produce Strawberries, the effort has fructified and the hilly areas are today producing the best qualities of strawberries that are going to change the face of the region forever.
The tribal farmers of Kotia who hitherto depended on rains and stream waters for farming have started cultivating strawberries under the guidance of experts. Three Women Self Help Groups of Doliamba village tried their hands on cultivating strawberries on a patch of five acres land which has today paid them back. They have become self reliant with this successful experiment and the area is on the way to becoming the hub of strawberry of Odisha.
The District Administration has initiated efforts to give the produce a deserving market and help the farmers sell the fresh strawberries in and outside the state. The farmers are being trained on practices to keep the produce fresh for long time. Special packaging materials are being provided to the farmers to safely transport the produce. Efforts are also being made to strengthen the supply chain in the area for these organic fresh fruits.
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