Karnataka grape growers upbeat over export orders

Farmers cultivating the Thomson seedless grape variety in the north Karnataka region are seeing a rise in enquiries from overseas and have, therefore, begun to expand the acreage under the variety.

The sudden spurt in demand has also encouraged new growers into taking up grape cultivation as the renumeration is much more attractive than in the case of other horticulture crops in the region.

Traditionally, Karnataka grape growers cater to Europe, the UK and the Gulf countries. This season has witnessed enquires coming from Malaysia, the Phillippines and Sri Lanka, said Sreekanth T R, agri-consultant based in north Karnataka.

Karnataka growers plant the Thomson seedless - which serves a double purpose i.e. for table variety and dry grapes (raisins) - and Sharad varieties. This season, along with the table variety, there also is a strong demand from the domestic market for dry grapes, said Sreekanth.

In India, 90 per cent of production is of the table variety, and Indian yields are among the highest in the world, as no control is necessary over the sugar content of grapes.

In grape cultivation and exports, Karnataka follows only Maharashtra - the topmost state. So far, Karnataka's total acreage under grape cultivation is 22,000 acres. Plans are afoot to hike the same to 30,000 acres in a year's time by attracting more farmers, said a senior horticuture department official.

Grape cultivation is done extensively in north Karnataka in places like Bijapur, Belgaum and Gulbarga, and also to a lesser extent in Devanahalli near Bangalore.

But the certification agencies are all in Bangalore. Hence growers' forums have demanded an export clearing and certifying body in north Karnataka to issue phytosanitary certification as also for Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREPGAP).

Grape growers are getting increasing government help. Nationalised banks and co-operative banks are coming forward to help farmers with term loans of Rs 1.35 lakh per acre as development loan, apart from crop loan that has to be repaid annually.

They are also offering loans for laying pipelines from rivers at Rs 35,000 per acre. The Karnataka government, on its part, is giving a 75 per cent subsidy on drip irrigation. The National Horticulture Board gives a 20 per cent subsidy on the total project cost, said Sreekanth.

Growers' forums in north Karnataka and Bangalore have demanded a chain of cold storages, internet auctioning, finding of international buyers for their produce, and also good roads.