Shillong, Sep 26: Meghalaya has introduced the premium Japanese Tochiotome strawberry variety to boost horticulture and farmers’ income.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced this during his web broadcast ‘Live with Conrad’. He said the move follows the state delegation’s visit to strawberry farms in Japan to study advanced cultivation practices.
“The saplings have been brought from Japan and are currently being nurtured at local centres under strict protocols before distribution to farmers,” Sangma said. It is a collaboration between the Japanese Government, the Indian Government and the Meghalaya Government.
Tochiotome is known for its high sweetness, large size and premium quality.
Sangma said the partnership with Japan extends beyond agriculture to mushroom production, local sake brewing, human resource development, healthcare, tourism and environmental conservation.
The government expects the new variety to help farmers shift to high-value crops and improve returns.
