Mumbai businessman reports Rs 44 lakh sales from Mahabaleshwar strawberry farm
Ketan Sodha's soilless Berry Fresh Agrotech LLP has produced 8,000 kg of fruit using a polyhouse facility.
Ketan Sodha, a Mumbai businessman, has reported approximately Rs 44 lakh in sales and 8,000 kg of strawberry production from his soilless farm in Mahabaleshwar, according to a Times of India report.
Sodha, who owns Berry Fresh Agrotech LLP, began his farming journey in 2016 after his agricultural land business was affected by demonetisation. Although his initial attempt with 5,000 plants failed, he increased his plantation to 10,000 plants in 2017 and eventually expanded his operations across several locations.
To manage unpredictable weather and unseasonal rain, Sodha transitioned to soilless cultivation. He leased two acres of land and built a 1,500-square-metre polyhouse that uses cocopeat as a growing medium instead of soil.
The facility employs a retractable roof, a misting system, and automated fertigation to control nutrients and water. The farm also treats collected rainwater with ozone before use.
The business is currently testing 19 different strawberry varieties from countries including Italy, Spain, Japan, and the Netherlands to find those best suited for Indian conditions. The berries are sold to customers in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad for between Rs 400 and Rs 600 per kg.