As the narrow, winding ghat road meanders through the green hills of the Eastern Ghats, a journey to Lambasingi feels like an adventure. A winter morning drive to the region in the Chintapalli Mandal of Alluri Sitharama Raju district is a visual treat, with towering trees, occasional water-streams jutting out of the hills, and the crisp mountain air adding to the charm. A narrow diversion to the right from the Lothugedda Junction takes one to the interiors of Lambasingi. The bumpy road, flanked by patches of greens and scattered hamlets, leads one to the Andhra Strawberry Farm, one of the region’s pioneering strawberry farms.
| Video Credit:
K R DEEPAK, NIVEDITA GANGULY
At an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level, Lambasingi, blanketed by deciduous forests, is known for its single-digit temperatures and misty winter mornings. Over the last six years, Lambasingi has added a feather to its cap – strawberry farming. Despite challenges, this burgeoning industry is drawing tourists in large numbers and boosting local livelihoods.
Stepping into the Andhra Strawberry Farm, as the morning mist slowly begins to clear, we see neat rows of vibrant red strawberries glistening in the sun. The cool air carries the faint aroma of fresh strawberries. Visitors wander through the fields, hand-picking the juicy delights, as the farm bustles with activity.
Strawberry cultivation in Lambasingi gained momentum about four years ago, thanks to the region’s cool climate and fertile soil. This January saw farms teeming with tourists eager to pick fresh strawberries amidst the winter chill. The season typically runs from December to March; but this year, unseasonal cyclonic rains in December disrupted the yield and delayed the harvest.
Farmers, however, are adapting. Many have diversified into multi-cropping, cultivating vegetables like brinjal, tomatoes, chillies, and carrots during off-seasons. They have also ventured into by-products like jams, milkshakes, and strawberry cream to offset losses.
Leading the charge is Andhra Strawberry Farm, the first to introduce strawberry farming to Lambasingi. Spearheaded by N Naga Satyanarayana, an agricultural science graduate, the farm expanded to five acres this season, planting 1.10 lakh strawberry plants worth ₹40 lakh. Despite losing ₹20 lakh worth of plants to December’s cyclonic rains, the farm expects to earn ₹70 lakh this season.
Each strawberry plant has a relatively short lifespan but a highly productive one. Typically, the plants are grown as annuals in Lambasingi’s climate. The lifecycle begins with planting in September or early October, followed by flowering in about 45-60 days. By mid-December, the first fruits begin to ripen. The peak harvest occurs between January and February, continuing until early March. After this, the plants gradually wither, making way for the next cycle.
“Winter Dawn is a successful variety here, but we ere experimenting with Florida Felicity too this year,” shares Naga Satyanarayana of Andhra Strawberry Farm. His strawberries reach cities like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Hyderabad. The farm also attracts more than 5,000 visitors during peak season, offering not just strawberries but also a visual treat with its two-acre flower garden blooming with dahlias, begonias, and chrysanthemums.
Satyanarayana emphasises resilience in the face of challenges. “Strawberry farming comes with uncertainties, but patience and optimism keep us going. Lambasingi’s climate remains ideal for strawberries despite warmer winters and unpredictable weather.”
Natural farming at Janani Farm
Just seven kilometres away, Janani Farm offers a glimpse of sustainable agriculture. Run by K Satyanarayana and his wife Sandhya, this 10-acre farm champions natural farming techniques. Their practices include using bio-fertilisers produced at their West Godavari unit and strictly avoiding chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
K Satyanarayana and his wife Sandhya who were given best farmer awards for natural farming techniques by AP state government at their Janani strawberry farm at Lambasingi.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak
The couple’s commitment has earned them the Best Farmer Award from the Andhra Pradesh government in 2019, 2021, and 2025. This season, apart from cultivating Winter Dawn strawberries, they have planted Sweet Charlie and M2 varieties. Their produce is in demand across Andhra Pradesh, including Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Ongole, and Rajahmundry. “We saw immense potential for natural farming here,” says K Satyanarayana, who first visited Lambasingi as a tourist three years ago.
Since then, Janani Farm has flourished, setting a benchmark for sustainable practices. Satyanarayana not only cultivates strawberries but also practices multi-cropping to maximise his farm’s potential. Alongside strawberries, he grows an array of high-value crops such as zucchini, broccoli, lettuce, and papaya. This diversified approach ensures year-round yield while at the same time enhancing soil fertility and sustainability, making his farm a model of innovative agricultural practices.
Strawberry varieties
A basket of freshly harvested strawberries at a farm at Lambasingi (known as Andhra’s Kashmir) in the Agency Area of Alluri Sitharama Raju district. The cool and dry climate of Lammasingi is suitable for strawberries.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak
While the Winter Dawn is a hardy variety thriving in Lambasingi’s cool climate, producing large, firm, and bright red fruits with a sweet and slightly tangy flavour, the Sweet Charlie variety does well in slightly warmer winters and is preferred for its sugary taste.
A relatively newer variety, M2 is prized for its uniform size, deep red colour, and balanced sweetness. “While the most preferred variety is Winter Dawn for its adaptability and high yield, M2 is ideal for long-distance transport, retaining its firmness longer than other varieties,” explains K Satyarayana of Janani Farm.
A trial variety at the Andhra Strawberry Farm, Florida Felicity boasts a unique blend of sweetness and tartness. It produces larger berries with a glossy finish. It requires a little more care and is susceptible to temperature fluctuations. It, however, yields fewer fruits in its initial trial phase.
Challenges and the road ahead
Children plucking strawberries at a farm at Lambasingi.
| Photo Credit:
KR Deepak
While Lambasingi’s strawberry farms flourish, the region faces infrastructure challenges. “Lambasingi is a hot tourist destination, but without proper roads, accommodations, and waste management systems, it risks losing its charm,” warns Satyanarayana from Janani Farm. In the recent past, a number of small stay facilities and tented accommodations have sprung up across the region, in addition to a resort and tented accommodations by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Its growing popularity has also seen bottlenecks at the popular viewpoints of the region.
Lambasingi’s freshly-picked strawberries are undeniably a sweet temptation, drawing visitors from far and wide to its misty hills. However, it risks losing its charm if infrastructure development and waste management don’t evolve hand-in-hand with its growing popularity. Only by striking a balance between Nature and nurture can Lambasingi preserve its pristine allure, ensuring that its strawberries remain as fresh as its promise of sustainable tourism.
Published – January 24, 2025 08:28 am IST
