Nainital, Sep 9 (ANI): In an initiative to promote European blackberry production in Uttarakhand, the state government have authorities distributed saplings of the fruit among farmers across the street.

Blackberry is not sown in the country, but the prospect of rich dividends from international markets has made the authorities and farmers to adapt to the fruit.

Sudhir Chaddha, agriculture specialist and director of Floriculture Park located in Chafi, said that the farmers in the country were at an advantage, as the fruit could be reaped two months in advance as compared to their European counterparts.

"Several European tourists when they visited India said that if we grow blackberries in India and send the frozen fruit to Europe it could be lucrative business, as the blackberries' were not grown in Europe at that time," Chaddha said.

"We grow blackberries two months in advance as compared to the farmers in Europe. This will be a great advantage for the blackberry farmers in India," he added.

It is grown at an altitude of 2000-4000 feet. The fruit requires cold climate preferably less than 30 degrees centigrade for a healthy crop.

The best months for blackberry cultivation are February, March and April while the light soil is ideal for their cultivation. (ANI)