PRAYAGRAJ, May 30 -- As input costs rise and margins fall making traditional farming less profitable, an increasing number of farmers in Uttar Pradesh are turning to strawberry cultivation, drawn by higher returns and government support.

In Fatehpur district, Sant Lal Maurya of Simouri village in Airayan development block has emerged as an example of this growing trend. Maurya shifted from conventional farming to strawberry cultivation and claims to have earned several times more profit compared to traditional crops.

"I cultivate strawberries on two bighas of land using mulching technology and have received good production," he said.

Maurya added that the horticulture department provided him financial assistance of Rs.30,000 for purcha...