Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Strawberry Planting Accelerates Amid Rising Costs in Mahabaleshwar
Farmers in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are getting ready to grow strawberries.
They started working after the heavy rains began to decrease.
They are preparing the soil, placing special paper on the beds and setting up water pipes.
Farmers hope the weather will help them produce a good crop.
However, there are not enough workers to do all the planting.
Workers are also costing more than before.
Strawberry plants, fertilisers, pesticides and other materials have become more expensive.
Farmers must plant on time so the strawberries are ready when many tourists visit.
A good season could help farmers, stalls, hotels and other local businesses.
Farmers in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani have begun preparing fields for the new strawberry season as rains ease.
They are ploughing fields, preparing beds, spreading mulch, installing drip irrigation and applying manure.
Farmers expect favourable weather and satisfactory rainfall to support a good crop this year.
Labour shortages, higher wages, and rising costs of saplings, fertilisers, pesticides and mulching paper are increasing cultivation expenses.
Timely planting is important because strawberries are sold during the peak tourist season, supporting farmers and local businesses.
- Who
- Strawberry farmers in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, with sapling producers in Wai and Jawali.
- What
- Farmers have begun preparing fields and planting strawberry saplings for the new season.
- When
- After the rains eased, ahead of the main strawberry and tourist season.
- Where
- Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, with saplings produced in Wai and Jawali.
- Why
- To have strawberries ready during the peak tourist season and obtain better returns despite rising cultivation costs.
- Crop outlook
- Farmers are hopeful of a good crop after satisfactory rainfall and favourable weather.
- Main challenge
- A severe shortage of labour is affecting planting work.
- Labour costs
- Farmers are paying higher wages and sometimes bringing workers from other districts.
- Input costs
- Imported saplings, fertilisers, pesticides and mulching paper have become more expensive.
- Planting deadline
- Farmers are accelerating work so fruit is ready during the peak tourist season.
- Tourism products
- Tourists buy fresh strawberries, jam, jelly, ice cream and strawberry with cream.
- Local impact
- A good season would benefit farmers, vendors, hotels and other tourism-dependent businesses.