New software to monitor grape quality

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has launched a new web-based software, GrapeNet, to address the pesticide residue and quality problems raised by the European Union (EU) regarding domestic grapes.

The software, launched by Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh, will provide traceability of the table grapes exported from the country to the EU.

"It will also help in raising the confidence of the importers by enabling monitoring of pesticide residue and achieving product standardisation, thus boost grape exports to the EU," said Ramesh.

By clicking the phytosanitary number or Agmark number, one can reach directly to the certificate-issuing authorities and thereafter reach the inspection reports to laboratory analysis, certificate of residue analysis and the pack house details.

The software was designed to reach at the root of any grape export transaction, Ramesh added. Traceability would help more than 40,000 grape farmers and earn 40 per cent more value for their fruit.

The export value has gone up from ¤8 to ¤11.5 for a pack of 5 kg grape in 2006-07.

In 2005-06, grapes of around 55 tonnes valued about ¤40 million were exported. Of a total production of around 1.5 million tonnes, 80 per cent of the table grapes were from Maharashtra.