MP winery project cleared

The decks have been cleared for the first winery project in Madhya Pradesh. A company of 15 farmers in the village of Titri (5 km from Ratlam) has proposed to invest Rs 1.03 crore in the project, to be financed with bank loans and other funds.

"We have started the process for growing the crop. We will go for crushing in February next year for an initial production of 50,000 litres," Motilal Patidar, chairman of the company, told Business Standard on the phone from Titri.

In February it was reported that the project was getting delayed. "The district administration has cleared a land diversion case, and the clearance was necessary for the winery," he said.

The company, named Patel Wine & Fruit Processing Industry, is now in the process of making a fresh project report, to be submitted to the Bank of Baroda for loans, and other government departments for grants.

"Construction will begin probably by May. We have visited Nasik to prepare the project report since Ratlam does not have experts on the subject," said Patidar, a grape grower also.

The MP government had earlier announced its wine policy. The farmers have now got ready an Australian variety of wine quality grape, namely Shiraj and Cabernet Blonc, on an area of 20 acres.

"We are planning to grow more grapes on another 20 acres," Patidar added. The farmers have made all possible efforts to give a shape to their project. One of them of the company has a degree in wine making from the Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Pune.

Ratlam has the best suitable climate to grow world-class wine quality grapes.

"Ratlam collector and other administrative machinery are extending all possible support to the farmers for the project," said a senior government official. The recently announced wine policy is a reproduction of Maharashtra wine policy.

The state government has already deleted the word "wine" out of ambit of Excise Act 1915 and the activity now comes under Horticulture and food processing sector. However no big player has come forward to take advantage of the wine policy except for few inquiries.