Blueberry cultivation is expanding to high-altitude open fields in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, reaching elevations of 11,500 feet (3,500 metres) above sea level providing an option of cash crop to the farmers of Lahaul.
A new initiative to cultivate blueberries in the Lahaul Valley has been launched through the efforts of the horticulture department in the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti.
This blueberry demonstration site was established by the horticulture department under the central government’s ‘Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture’ (MIDH) scheme. She also urged other residents of the region to visit the demonstration site and draw inspiration to take up blueberry cultivation, assuring them of full support from the horticulture department. She noted that in India, blueberries are still considered a premium or exotic fruit, commanding a significantly higher market price compared to common fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas. Deputy director of horticulture Meenakshi Sharma explained that blueberry cultivation differs slightly from that of standard fruit-bearing plants.
She said that the cost of setting up this site was approximately ₹ 12.50 lakh, with the horticulture department providing a subsidy of ₹ 9,37,500 to the grower. She noted that 500 blueberry plants have been cultivated in the 500-square-metre polyhouse.
The DC said, “This is an example of achieving high yields from a small land area. She said that farmers would be contacted and provided with all possible assistance to encourage them to take up blueberry cultivation. “It requires acidic soil or grow-bags, controlled irrigation, and the right variety,” said Sharma, adding that the blueberries are also being grown in other districts of the state, including relatively warmer areas like Palampur/Kangra, Mandi, and Kullu.
Lahaul and Spiti deputy commissioner (DC) Kiran Bhadana formally inaugurated this blueberry demonstration site on Wednesday.
