Strawberries in Nuwara Eliya
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The Agricultural Research Institute has described strawberries as a fruit that is difficult to grow, as it needs to be continually monitored for protection from diseases. Strawberries are grown in open fields and poly tunnels in the Nuwara Eliya District. Two of the most popular plantations are located in Ambewela and Ragala, both approximately 30 minutes drive from Spring Acre.
Jagro Strawberry The prominent Sungrown Strawberries hoarding displayed on the Nanu-Oya - Radella shortcut road is the brand name of Jagro Strawberries. The company is proud of it's unique process, which gives a harvest in 3 to 5 months. Although the main planting season for strawberries begins in September, the nursery preparation process begins well ahead with the planting of mother stock. Tended with the utmost care, these mother plants start shooting runners a few weeks after planting, which are then cut and potted in preparation for bed planting. Greenhouse construction includes the careful laying of gradients for proper drainage, mulch for proper weed/pest cover and dripper systems for fertigation - a few of the myriad aspects covered meticulously in this phase. Land and bed preparation, as we call the preparation of the lay of the soil and land, is an arduous task requiring much precision and time. Once the beds and irrigation systems are ready, planting begins in earnest. Each potted plant is carefully removed and planted in neatly aligned beds, angled just right to absorb as many nutrients as is required for the months of work ahead. From this point on, care is a mix of diligent tending of the plant, weeding and providing the optimum support, in the form of bees for pollination, plant analyses for ensuring the maximum possible nutrients are absorbed, and warding off of pests. Harvesting of strawberries starts two months after planting, when fruit is at its biggest, tastiest and juiciest. The first fruit from each plant is always the biggest and often the most off-shaped, although extremely tasty! From this point on, harvesting takes place daily, although quantities and size vary based on the plant life-cycle and the stage of planting in the staggered planting system. As soon as the strawberries comes off the plant, it is a rush to get the fruit sorted, packed to specification, labeled and into the chillers for removal of field heat. It is this process that chills the fruit down to the required temperature of 2 degrees for an optimum shelf-life of up to 2 weeks. From then on, Jagro's own freezer trucks transport strawberries down to their various distributors, the airport for overseas shipments and processing center for the Jam and Topping. Source: Jagrofresh website Click below to get driving directions on Google Maps |
Strawberries in a greenhouse
Ripe strawberries
Packed strawberries - ready to be shipped
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Ramya Horticulture
A successful enterprise that has excelled in fruit cultivation is Ramya Horticulture (Pvt) Ltd, one of the pioneers in cultivation of strawberries. Their vegetable and strawberry farm is located in Ambewela - Pattipola road on the way to Horton Plains. A large hoarding at the road side just before Meepiliyama Reservoir leads through a bumpy road to the farm. A prominent landmark, which can be seen from a distance, is a windmill. The sales outlet is at the entrance of the farm. Fresh Strawberries and Strawberry Jam is available for sale there. The Vegetable farm is spreads over a very large area and it is impossible to walk through the farm due to the distance and steep roads.The farm management has arranged tours of the strawberry fields on an open trailer with seats, which is appropriately pulled by a tractor in this rough and bumpy terrain. On the trail you can see beautifully grown potatoes, carrot, cabbage and many vegetables. The trail stops at a big Green House, where you can get off and walk inside the green house to observe how the strawberries are cultivated. It's an amazing experience since strawberries are not a common fruit in Sri Lanka. The company grows the California and Dutch varieties of strawberries that yield fruit of 40 mm in length. These take between 7 and 12 months to grow in the company's 7 poly tunnels.The first poly tunnel was built in 2001 and was initially used for high value vegetable cultivation. Ramya Horticulture has plans to build seven more poly tunnels. Click below to get driving directions on Google Maps |
Strawberries in open fields
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Adma Agro - Strawberry "Treats"
This restaurant, located close to Lake Gregory, has an exclusive menu based on strawberries. Popular amongst the visitors are a delightful offering of fresh strawberries, cream, treats ranging from milkshakes, to ice-cream and the star of the show, the No Vacancy strawberry pizza. On a dough base sprinkled with sugar, covered with fresh cream and farm grown strawberries, a healthy drizzle of chocolate sauce complete the topping and makes for a memorable gorge. The company has opened another outlet close to the Labookellie Tea Centre on Kandy road. If you are visiting Nuwara Eliya do not forget to treat yourself to these gorgeous treats. Click below to get driving directions on Google Maps |
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