Developmental Scenario Shows Kotia To Be The Strawberry Hub
Koraput: The once disputed and unaccessible region within Odisha and Andhra Pradesh is now making it to headlines. From being the talk of the town for neigbouring state penetrating in our region to making it as big as a hub for Strawberry cultivation with Governmental assistance proves the developmental scenario alongwith making people independent.
The ITDA had initiated a process of growing strawberries on five acres of land in Kotia panchayat of Koraput district.
Local women will be involved in agriculture to empower them. Notably, neighboring Andhra Pradesh has made offers to encroach on the Kotia panchayat.
Such offers also fueled tension between Odisha and AP as the neigbour had has already organized panchayat elections in some villages. For now the case is pending before the Supreme Court.
The neighboring state is also reportedly trying to woo the people of Kotia with sops and by carrying out development projects. ITDA’s initiative to promote strawberry cultivation through self-help groups will empower the women of Kotia financially.
ITDA organized a gram sabha on the project in Daliamba. A team of officials and strawberry producer Bhargav Laked paid a field visit to the area and discussed with local residents the commercial feasibility of growing strawberries.
As this agriculture is new to the region, the district administration will organize field trips for residents, organize agricultural documentaries, prepare information brochures and provide all assistance for drip irrigation. gout in the area, said Kashi Prasad Nayak, the ITDA district coordinator.
Beginning a few months ago as an experiment by the Koraput District administration to train the local farmers to produce Strawberries, the effort has fructified and the hilly areas are today producing the best qualities of strawberries that are going to change the face of the region forever.
The tribal farmers of Kotia who were dependent on rains and stream waters for farming have initiated cultivation of strawberries under the guidance of experts. Three Women Self Help Groups of Doliamba village tried their hands on cultivating strawberries on a patch of five acres land which has today paid them back. They have become self reliant with this successful experiment and the area is on the way to becoming the hub of strawberry of Odisha.
