As the air turns crisp and afternoons remain pleasantly warm, a vibrant red hue is spreading across fields on the outskirts of Pune. This colorful transformation signals the official arrival of strawberry season, bringing with it a popular urban escape: the hands-on activity of strawberry picking at U-Pick farms.
More Than Just Picking: The Rise of Curated Agri-Experiences
What began as a simple weekend pastime has evolved into a full-fledged social trend, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z. The activity is now often curated for digital sharing, driven by the desire to capture and post unique experiences. Beyond the social media appeal, the physical act of harvesting one's own food is widely viewed as a grounding and wholesome endeavor.
Farms are responding by offering much more than just access to fields. Many now feature curated picnic spaces, farm-to-table dining, and picturesque café-style seating areas where visitors can enjoy their freshly picked haul. These elements are designed to encourage longer visits and, of course, provide perfect backdrops for Pinterest-worthy photos. Shivaji Vasekar, owner of Shivaji Strawberry Farm, confirms the growing interest, noting that around 50 people visit his farm each week, specifically on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Economic and Educational Harvest
The U-Pick model offers mutual benefits. For farmers, inviting the public to harvest their own fruit significantly reduces peak-season labour and packaging costs. For city dwellers, it's a rare opportunity to connect with the source of their food. Entrepreneur Nilofar Kazi expressed surprise at finding this experience so close to the city, highlighting its value as a learning tool, especially for children.
The scale of operations is expanding to meet demand. Vasekar shared that his farm planted 8,000 strawberry plants in 2024, a number that has surged to 19,000 this year. For visitors, the cost is typically based on the weight of strawberries they can collect within a set time window, often around 30 minutes. A key tip for pickers is to select berries that are fully red up to the hull, as strawberries do not continue to ripen after being picked from the vine.
A City Reconnects with Nature
With multiple U-Pick farms located within a 50-kilometer radius of Pune, the activity has become an accessible blend of education and recreation. As visitor Laxity Lakshmi Mehta describes, "Picking strawberries of your choice straight from the farm is an amazing feeling and experience."
With the strawberry season lasting for several more months, these farms are poised to remain busy hubs of activity. They offer Punekars a cherished chance to slow down, step away from urban routines, and engage directly with the rural and agricultural economy, one berry at a time.
