Meet Abdul Alam Mir, the Strawberry Man of Gasoo, the first person to grow the coveted fruit in the region.

BY Jehangir Rashid

Abdul Ahad Mir, known in Jammu and Kashmir as the strawberry man, was the first to cultivate strawberry in the Gasoo area in the outskirts of Srinagar city. He started growing strawberry on one kanal of land (about 1/8 acre), and encouraged by harvests, now has extended cultivation to 10 kanals. Today, thanks to Mir, Gasoo is known as the strawberry village in Kashmir. In recognition of his pioneering efforts, the State felicitated him as a progressive farmer in February this year. The award follows on the heels of a national award commending his methods.

"It has been a long journey, and thanks to the Almighty, my efforts have borne fruit," Mir says. "This is a proud moment for me and I would like to cherish these moments forever. I have been honoured with a state award and I am elated over my achievement."

Initially, Mir was reluctant to take up strawberry farming, he says. He credits the state horticulture department with giving him the support he needed when he began his journey. "The horticulture department motivated me to plant strawberries in my orchard," he says. "They also provided both the technical as well as financial assistance. Thanks to the Almighty, strawberry cultivation has enhanced my economic status."

The elderly strawberry grower has motivated others in his area to take up strawberry farming, and following in his footsteps, many are reaping bountiful harvests. “I earn Rs. 60,000- 70,000 per annum, per kanal from strawberry production,” Mir says. “It is gratifying to note that more people in the area are willing to take up strawberry farming. God willing, we may come up with a co-operative of strawberry growers and suppliers in our own area. We would produce strawberry and then supply the same to different parts of the country. So, I believe that I have done some social service as well,” he says.