In the heart of Raipur, visionary agripreneur Prabhat Tripathi is revolutionising agricultural business with his successful strawberry farming venture. At 42, Prabhat is the first in Raipur to achieve large-scale commercial production of strawberries, marking a significant milestone in the region’s agribusiness sector. Prabhat, a B.Sc. Agriculture graduate with over 15 years of experience in the seed and agro industries, has a deep passion for farming innovation. He began his journey by importing mother plants from Florida and California, USA, nurturing them in his nurseries, and then cultivating them on a large scale in Raipur. His firm, “Health Adda,” has flourished, with a turnover of Rs 18 to 20 lakhs per acre per season. Explaining his inspiration for strawberry farming in Raipur, Prabhat said, “With my experience in this sector, I started a retail outlet named ‘Health Adda’ to sell exotic fruits and vegetables. Most exotic fruits had to be sourced from other cities, which often led to delays and damage. Strawberries, for instance, had to be brought from Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra), and they often arrived stale. So, I decided to cultivate strawberries locally to provide fresh produce.”

 

Prabhat’s enterprise spans 4 acres in Mana Basti (Nimora) and Naya Raipur, producing about 10 metric tonnes per acre each season. He grows various strawberry varieties, including Winter Dawn and Brilliance, using both polyhouses and open land, and manages year-round production, with the main season from October to March. Additionally, he grows exotic vegetables on his other farms. Marketing his produce has been strategic. “I sell retail at my outlet, supply to traders for nearby states like Orissa, and have introduced a ‘Come pluck and eat’ experience on my farm. I also participate in expos to promote my produce,” he said. This innovative approach has boosted his sales and offered consumers an interactive experience. Prabhat emphasizes nutrition and disease management on his farms. By using biologically and organically developed insecticides like Neem oil, he ensures his strawberries are virtually chemical-free and highly nutritious. This commitment to organic farming has set a local benchmark for quality. Moreover, Prabhat’s venture has created employment for around 35 laborers, predominantly female workers from nearby villages, thus contributing to the local economy.

 

He employs systematic drip irrigation to optimize water usage, underscoring his dedication to sustainable farming practices. Despite his success, Prabhat faces challenges in strawberry farming. “Marketing, unexpected expenditures, and the lack of systematic food processing units are major challenges,” he noted. However, his resilience and innovative spirit keep him moving forward. Remarkably, Prabhat has achieved all this without loans or government subsidies. He farms on leased land, demonstrating entrepreneurial acumen and self-reliance. Looking ahead, Prabhat plans to start a food processing industry and a strawberry winery, further expanding his business horizons. Prabhat’s message to the youth is clear: “Agriculture is a lucrative field if done systematically.” He is also willing to share his expertise with women self-help groups (SHGs) in Chhattisgarh, empowering them to start strawberry farming and benefit from his knowledge.