Anantapur: ICAR's National Research Centre for Grapes is on a mission to develop hybrid varieties that can sustain themselves even in drought while meeting international standards. The European markets have indicated that Indian grapes are sold at lower prices due to inferior quality.
Currently more than 80 per cent of grapes are used for table purposes, for eating. The bulk of the produce is harvested in March-April, but as cold storage facilities are currently inadequate there is a glut in the market in those months.
Commercial cultivation of grapes has been restricted to Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana state and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Anantapur has about 500 hectares of vineyards.
“Grapes can sustain dry weather that is available in Anantapur as the climate is cool at night,” horticulture assistant director Ramana said.
Mr Pothulaiah, a progressive farmer from Darsimala in Dharamavaram mandal, said he was raising grapes in 10 acres. “We face difficulties in protecting orchards but it provide attractive income in the drought-hit region,” he said.
ICAR-NRCG, which has just 15 scientists, has concentrated its research activities mainly in Maharashtra and adjoining areas of Karnataka. The AP Horticulture University is trying to encourage farmers to grow grapes.
The horticulture department is preparing an action plan to increase grape orchards and ramping up quality to meet international standards.
During 2013-14, India produced 25,85,000 million tonnes of grapes, with productivity at 21.8 million tonnes per hectare, with marginal increase in the area of production to 1,18,700 hectares.
During the 2014-15 season the crop was extraordinarily good in most areas and the NHB estimates record production 26,02,000 MT from 1,20,000 hectares.
Cost effective technology on growing table grapes under plastic cover, developed in Italy and Spain, if adopted properly, could remove uncertainties. the scientists have recommended to farmers of Anantapur. Many progressive grape growers in Maharashtra have profitably adopted the technology.
However, for systematic adoption and Indianisation of the technology, adoptive research is required.
The four varieties - Manjri Naveen, A18-3, Medika and Kishmish Rosavis White - were evaluated under Pune and Nasik conditions.
ICAR said there was a need to develop or introduce a seedless variety with self-thinning, bold berries, less GA dependent and higher shelf life. For comparison of quality of wine, uniform bunch load should be maintained. The ongoing experiments on wine grapes should be concluded to improve export quality, sources said.
There was a need to conduct research to provide residue free grapes both for exports and for the Indian consumer.
