Nashik/Tasgaon/Miraj: While India exports around 2.60 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of grapes every season, Nashik district contributes over 80% of total grape exports to various countries. Across the 1.
5 lakh acres of grape plantations in Nashik district, the major grape-growing belt of Niphad comprises a hefty 40%. The region houses at least 65,000 grape farmers and over 1.5 lakh voters, which include the former's family members.
However, worries of grape farmers in the taluka are many — heavy import duty on produce sent to Bangladesh, lack of govt subsidy for cover farming, unfavourable insurance policies, and more. Lack of resolution of these issues by state govt for the past decade has intensified their frustration, despite multiple follow-ups. Farmers told TOI that the state has failed to take up the matter of higher import duty for grapes in Bangladesh with Centre, compounding their concerns.
At least 28% (60,000 MT) of India's total grape exports are sent to Bangladesh. "Bangladesh is a major importer of Indian grapes, but its heavy duty levied on Indian grapes is a major problem. The import duty rose from Rs65/kg to Rs104/kg in the last grape season.
This affected grape export to Bangladesh by over 20%," informed Madhukar Gawli, a grape exporter. Climate change is another woe. Unseasonal rains and hail, particularly in Feb and March — peak period for harvest — are damaging vineyards.
"Cover farming can protect our vineyards from the elements — but plastic covers ar.