Himachal Pradesh sees the establishment of its first blueberry nursery

 The Neva Plantation, located in Kangra, has received authorization from horticulture department officials to cultivate four distinct varieties of blueberries, namely Misty, Legacy, Emerald, and Biloxi. These varieties are being grown in containers, a method chosen to optimize soil condition management. This initiative represents the first instance of a registered blueberry nursery within the state.

The varieties selected for cultivation include three low-chill and one medium-chill types, tailored to align with the local climatic conditions. The Legacy variety, for example, necessitates between 800 to 1,000 chilling hours, whereas the other varieties require roughly 100 to 300 chilling hours. The cost of a single plant ranges from ₹500 to ₹800, varying based on size. This endeavor by Neva Plantation introduces the production of tissue culture blueberry plants within the region, an effort to localize what was previously reliant on imports. Blueberries, celebrated for their high antioxidant content along with vitamins C and K and dietary fiber, are now being cultivated locally in Himachal Pradesh