Transforming India Through Agriculture

About Grape Cultivation

Grape (Vitis sp.), a significant commercial fruit crop from the Vitaceae family, is cultivated on a wide variety of soils. Though originally a temperate crop, grapes have adapted well to the subtropical climate of peninsular India, with Maharashtra accounting for the majority of grape cultivation in the country. In India, about 75% of the grape production is consumed as table fruit, approximately 22% is dried to make raisins, 1.5% is used in winemaking, and 0.5% goes into juice production. Maharashtra is often referred to as the grape belt of India.

Problems Faced by Farmers

Grapes are non-climacteric fruits that face several production challenges. Unseasonal rains during the flowering and maturity stages can lead to significant issues, while sudden temperature fluctuations in winter, known as heat-cold shock, often cause berry bursting, resulting in substantial losses for farmers. Additionally, severe water shortages during April, May, and June adversely affect the conception stage and cane maturity, further complicating grape cultivation.