Andhra Pradesh: Natural farming boosts strawberry harvests in Lambasingi

Discover the charm of Lambasingi's strawberry farms amidst misty hills, but infrastructure challenges threaten its pristine allure.

As the narrow, winding ghat road meanders through the green hills of the Eastern Ghats, a journey to Lambasingi feels like an adventure. A winter morning drive to the region in the Chintapalli Mandal of Alluri Sitharama Raju district is a visual treat, with towering trees, occasional water-streams jutting out of the hills, and the crisp mountain air adding to the charm. A narrow diversion to the right from the Lothugedda Junction takes one to the interiors of Lambasingi. The bumpy road, flanked by patches of greens and scattered hamlets, leads one to the Andhra Strawberry Farm, one of the region’s pioneering strawberry farms.

At an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level, Lambasingi, blanketed by deciduous forests, is known for its single-digit temperatures and misty winter mornings. Over the last six years, Lambasingi has added a feather to its cap – strawberry farming. Despite challenges, this burgeoning industry is drawing tourists in large numbers and boosting local livelihoods.

Stepping into the Andhra Strawberry Farm, as the morning mist slowly begins to clear, we see neat rows of vibrant red strawberries glistening in the sun. The cool air carries the faint aroma of fresh strawberries. Visitors wander through the fields, hand-picking the juicy delights, as the farm bustles with activity.

Strawberry cultivation in Lambasingi gained momentum about four years ago, thanks to the region’s cool climate and fertile soil. This January saw farms teeming with tourists eager to pick fresh strawberries amidst the winter chill. The season typically runs from December to March; but this year, unseasonal cyclonic rains in December disrupted the yield and delayed the harvest.

Farmers, however, are adapting. Many have diversified into multi-cropping, cultivating vegetables like brinjal, tomatoes, chillies, and carrots during off-seasons. They have also ventured into by-products like jams, milkshakes, and strawberry cream to offset losses.

Leading the charge is Andhra Strawberry Farm, the first to introduce strawberry farming to Lambasingi. Spearheaded by N Naga Satyanarayana, an agricultural science graduate, the farm expanded to five acres this season, planting 1.10 lakh strawberry plants worth ₹40 lakh. Despite losing ₹20 lakh worth of plants to December’s cyclonic rains, the farm expects to earn ₹70 lakh this season.

Each strawberry plant has a relatively short lifespan but a highly productive one. Typically, the plants are grown as annuals in Lambasingi’s climate. The lifecycle begins with planting in September or early October, followed by flowering in about 45-60 days. By mid-December, the first fruits begin to ripen. The peak harvest occurs between January and February, continuing until early March. After this, the plants gradually wither, making way for the next cycle.