Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: Blueberry and apple cultivation has now started in Jamshedpur, with local farmers successfully growing and harvesting these exotic fruits. In addition, several other special fruit varieties are being cultivated and will soon be available.
Rahul Barik, a 25-year-old farmer from Chakulia, has pioneered this initiative. Passionate about gardening since childhood, Rahul pursued his postgraduate studies in Ranchi before returning to his hometown to experiment with unique fruit cultivation.
To adapt to Jamshedpur’s climate, Rahul researched extensively and sourced blueberry plants from Mexico and apple saplings from Israel and Kenya. “I wanted to bring varieties that could thrive in East Singhbhum’s weather. After careful study, I selected these plants and nurtured them,” he said.
Currently, he is cultivating persimmon (Japanese fruit), nectarine, apricot, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, lemon, water apple, tangerine, orange and sapota alongside apples and blueberries. His blueberries have been bearing fruit for the past two years and he started selling them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rahul is now expanding his efforts. “I plan to develop a new orchard on 2.5 acres near an ecological park, with ponds for better irrigation,” he added. Blueberries, which are rarely grown commercially in India, sell for ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 per kg. Each plant, about three feet tall, produces around one kilogram of fruit.
With increasing demand for exotic fruits, Rahul’s initiative could inspire more farmers to explore high-value fruit farming in the region.
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