Centre To Help Import Grape Varieties For Good Quality Wine

The central government has decided to provide financial assistance for the import of grape varieties to help domestic wineries produce good quality wine as well as table-grapes.

This was disclosed by the Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday at a programme, organised by the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGBP), to announce the wine festival 'Indian grape harvesting festival : 2014' to be held next month.

He said, "Some wine grape varieties were imported in the past and they are being used to make wine. The grape-growers associations are also importing some more varieties. We have decided to provide all financial assistance for research and import of wine grape varieties."

Pawar added, "The grape growers are producing good quality grapes in the district. Apart from that, we need to increase the export of both grapes and wine, with major focus on quality. This was the main objective behind setting up of the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB). The government is ready to provide any help required for the development of the wine industry."

Ashok Gaikwad, president of Maharashtra Draksha Bagaitdar Sangh, said "The Indian (table-grape) varieties take around four months to 120 days to develop and they also require lot of pruning, which is generally done in September or October. Most times, monsoon affects the vineyards in September. Hence, we were in search of those varieties that can be developed in less than three months and require little pruning. We recently visited South Africa to study the table-grape varieties planted there. We have selected some varieties and are in talks with some nurseries there."

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com