Pune: A two-day study tour focusing on post-harvest technology and marketing management of strawberries was conducted for 55 strawberry farmers and women from the western tribal region of Ambegaon taluka. The tour aimed to enhance their knowledge and skills in improving yield, handling, and sales of strawberries.
The study tour was jointly organized by the Maharashtra Government Agriculture Department, Gramonnati Mandal Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Narayangaon, and the Integrated Tribal Development Project, Ghodegaon. The sessions were held at the Wheat and Barley Research Center in Mahabaleshwar, which also houses a specialized Strawberry Research Center under Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth.
Inauguration and Expert Guidance
The study tour was inaugurated on 4th March by Ambegaon Taluka Agriculture Officer Siddhesh Dhawale. Experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Narayangaon, including horticulture specialist Bharat Temkar, agriculture assistants Arvind Mohare and Dnyaneshwar Lohakare, and hostel warden Kanifnath Kadam from the Integrated Tribal Development Project, Karad, were present for the event.
During the program, Dr. Darshan Kadam, head of the Strawberry Research Center, guided the farmers on crucial aspects of post-harvest technology, value addition, and efficient marketing of strawberries. Additionally, Dr. Manish Sushir conducted a session on integrated pest and disease management, providing farmers with essential insights on maintaining healthy crops.
On the second day, the farmers visited Madhusagar, a cooperative society engaged in fruit processing, to learn about value addition techniques for strawberries. They also observed roadside marketing strategies used by local sellers to attract customers.
A visit to Mapro, a well-known fruit processing company, provided an opportunity to witness the manufacturing of various strawberry-based products. Additionally, the group toured an industrial facility in Wai, where strawberry punnets (packaging trays) are produced, helping them understand packaging and distribution aspects of the business.
