SOLAN: In a major boost to crop diversification and agricultural income, a blueberry cultivation trial conducted by the horticulture department in Solan district has yielded highly successful results, turning into a lucrative venture for local farmers.
The project began two years ago when the department planted blueberry saplings on an experimental basis in the Dharon Ki Dhar area of Solan. The initial phase has registered outstanding success, with a majority of the plants bearing high-quality fruit this season.
While blueberry cultivation in India was previously restricted to limited pockets of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh has now successfully entered the map.
Under the centrally sponsored Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), four front-line demonstration centres were set up across three key development blocks in Solan-namely Solan, Kunihar, and Kandaghat. Around 1,400 blueberry saplings are currently being grown under protected conditions at these specialized centres.
Some progressive farmers in the region have already harvested their produce and started selling it in local markets. They are securing premium rates of up to Rs 1,000 per kilogram, significantly upgrading their economic conditions.
According to a media report Dr. Shivali Thakur, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department, stated that commercial blueberry farming is currently very limited in India. She noted that given Himachal’s cool climate, the state holds immense potential for this crop. Encouraging its growth will not only diversify the state’s horticulture portfolio but also strengthen the socio-economic status of local farmers.
The blueberry plant grows as a shrub reaching a height of about 6.12 feet. Experts note that the acidic soil and cold winter temperatures of Himachal Pradesh provide ideal growing conditions for the crop.
Following the success of the trial and strong enthusiasm from local growers, the department is now preparing for a large-scale expansion. A comprehensive proposal has been drafted to extend blueberry cultivation across more than 10 hectares of land in Solan district under the Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation, and Value Addition (HP SHIVA) project.
