Regular Update
ATM News Network: The Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagaitdar Sangh (MRDBS) has developed a new grape variety in its Manjari Farm Laboratory area. The research work of this variety has been started for the last three-four years. The plot of the said grape variety has been harvested in the current season. The team of viticulturists has been successful in developing excellent colour, excellent taste, good weight and aromatic grape variety keeping in view the demand of the international market.
In order to test this variety in different parts of Maharashtra, under different geographical and climatic conditions, some seedlings of this variety were given to some experimental farmers of the Horticulture Association along with the laboratory at Manjari Farm. Bharat Shinde, President of Pune Division of MRDBS Abhishek Kanchan of Uruli Kanchan and Ashok Gaikwad of Nashik were given some seedlings of the new variety for trial and study. Satisfactory feedback has been received for this variety on all those plots. The feedback and suggestions received during this trial will be studied and the possibility of further improvements in this variety will be explored.
Maharashtra has a single umbrella in grape export in the country, and grapes with attractive colour and delicious taste are in great demand all over the world including Europe, China, Middle-East Asia. Maharashtra accounts for 98% of India's total grape exports, while only 8% of Maharashtra's grape production is exported. Shivaji Rao Pawar, President of MRDBS, expressed the belief that the use of improved varieties will increase the production of exportable grapes.
The association is constantly supporting innovative research for the economic benefit of grape farmers and is consciously working towards the development of more viable, healthy and productive grape varieties.
“We are confident that the newly developed variety is an improvement over the existing Crimson variety and will fetch high prices in international as well as local markets. A plot of around 1000 trees has been set up in the area of Talegaon Vani (District Nashik) along with the Manjari Farm Laboratory. It is expected to bear fruit on the said plot in the next season.
- Shivajirao Pawar, President, MRDBS, Pune
Grape cultivars with good colour, taste, weight and fragrance have been developed by a team of researchers to meet the demands of the international market. The research that has been going on for the past four years has yielded success. The species will soon be named and made available to grape growers. This will lead to a big increase in exportable grape production and will bring great financial benefits to the grape growers.
- Chandrakant Landge, President, Central Science Committee, MRDBS
For the last four years some plants of the said grape variety were brought to our plot for testing. The trees of this species bear fruit after full growth. Genetic testing of this species shows some similarity to the 'Crimson' species. The size, weight and colour of grapes are better than other varieties and the fruit is more sweet and aromatic. Grape vines are strong and can easily withstand unseasonal rains. The requirement of hormones required for the growth of these trees is very limited and this variety can be produced in all parts of Maharashtra.
- Abhishek Kanchan, Experimental Farmer, Uruli Kanchan, Pune and Director, MRDBSs
