Dang emerges as Gujarat’s strawberry cultivation hub

Gandhinagar: South Gujarat’s Dang district, the first in the state to have shifted completely to natural farming, has emerged as a leading strawberry-producing region. The govt said on Wednesday that farmers have reported annual earnings of up to Rs 8 lakh per hectare by cultivating nine varieties of strawberries.

According to official data, the area under strawberry cultivation in the district increased by 65%, from 20 hectares in 2022-23 to around 33 hectares in 2025-26. The production, which stood at 140 metric tonnes in 2022-23, rose to 196 metric tonnes in 2024-25 and is projected to reach 233 metric tonnes during 2025-26.

The state govt said the growth has been driven by favourable climatic conditions, increasing market demand and the adoption of natural farming practices in the tribal district. The statement said that strawberries are well-suited to the district’s cool climate and the sandy and loamy soil, rich in organic matter.

The crop requires well-drained soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.0, along with 8 to 12 hours of sunlight for flowering and fruiting. Temperatures in the range of 22°C to 25°C during the day and 7°C to 13°C at night are considered ideal for cultivation.

The govt statement said farmers in the district are cultivating nine strawberry varieties, including Winter Dawn, Early Winter, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Nabila, Nabadi, Selva, Belrubi and Pajero. Among these, Winter Dawn has emerged as the most preferred variety because of its strong yield between Dec and Feb-March. Farmers from several villages in Ahwa taluka, including Bhurapani, Borigavtha, Galkund, Kotamdar, Malegaon, Dabhas, Sonuniya, and Vanar, have taken up strawberry cultivation. In addition, farmers of Kanchanpada, Ghodvahal, Murambi and nearby villages of Waghai taluka have also adopted strawberry farming over the past few years. Farmers have been receiving subsidies ranging from 55 to 75 per cent on strawberry saplings and cultivation-related expenses.