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The town of Mahabaleshwar, situated in the mountainous western region of India, has emerged as the centre of the country’s thriving strawberry industry. At an elevation of more than one thousand metres, this area benefits from a cool climate and soil conditions that are perfectly suited for growing delicate fruit. Consequently, Mahabaleshwar now accounts for an impressive eighty-five percent of India’s total strawberry production, with the peak season running from November through March.

Despite its success, strawberry farming remains a challenging and risky occupation. It is a labour-intensive process, and farmers are constantly at the mercy of the weather. A single period of unexpected heavy rainfall can destroy an entire season’s crop. Furthermore, the financial stakes are high. Since strawberries are not grown from seeds, farmers must purchase young plants from specialized suppliers every year. One local farmer noted that she spends approximately twenty-five hundred dollars annually on these plants. While a stable season can result in a double return on investment, a sudden change in climate can lead to devastating financial losses.

A significant hurdle for the Indian industry is the lack of a domestic strawberry variety. Currently, the sector relies heavily on plants imported from the United States and Europe. Many of these varieties are patented, which means they are the intellectual property of the companies that developed them. To cultivate these foreign plants, mother plants must first undergo a strict government quarantine period. Once cleared, they are moved to high-tech nurseries where the cultivation process is far more advanced than traditional farming. Instead of using soil, growers utilize industrial pipes filled with coco-peat, a material derived from coconut husks. By using sophisticated drip-irrigation and fogging systems, they can carefully manage the environment for each plant. A single mother plant can produce forty daughter plants, which are subsequently sold to local farmers.

Looking ahead, Indian researchers are attempting to develop local varieties to end the country’s dependence on foreign imports. If they succeed, India could transform into a global leader in strawberry production, ensuring a more stable and self-sufficient future for its agricultural sector.

1. What is the main purpose of the article?

• A.To explain the technical process of coconut husk recycling.
• B.To describe the growth and challenges of India’s strawberry industry.
• C.To argue that imported plants are superior to local varieties.
• D.To advertise Mahabaleshwar as a popular tourist destination.

2. Why is strawberry farming described as financially risky for Indian farmers?

• A.They must pay high taxes to the government every month.
• B.The fruit can only be sold in international markets.
• C.They must spend a lot of money every year to buy new plants.
• D.The cost of traditional soil has increased significantly.

3. What can be inferred about the high-tech nurseries mentioned in the text?

• A.They are located in the same fields where the fruit is harvested.
• B.They allow for better control over growing conditions than traditional methods.
• C.They are only used for plants that come from India.
• D.They have replaced the need for human labour in the region.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards the future of the Indian strawberry industry?

• A.Pessimistic, because the climate is too unstable.
• B.Indifferent, as long as the quality of fruit remains high.
• C.Critical of the reliance on expensive foreign technology.
• D.Optimistic about the potential benefits of developing local varieties.

5. In the second paragraph, what does the word ‘devastating’ mean?

• A.Unexpected or surprising.
• B.Causing great damage or harm.
• C.Extremely confusing.
• D.Slightly disappointing.