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Grape
production likely to touch 20,000 mt
B V Mahalakshmi in Hyderabad
The grape production is estimated to reach 20,000 mt
during the current season as against 15,000 mt in the last year.
Thanks to containment of ‘downy’ disease the production levels
are expected to cross the estimates, according to Apeda sources.
Though the production was at its peak during 1997-98 with 23,000
mt, it was dropped to 11,000 mt in the year 1998-99. The reasons
attributed to the fall was mainly due to delay of monsoon and
spread of diseases at the vineyards across the country.
“Since there is no sign of the downy disease this year at the
vineyards, the production levels are expected to go up,” said
Apeda official.
Despite the anticipated influx of Californian grapes into the
domestic market, the local varieties such as Thomson seedless,
Flame seedless etc. will be in good demand, the official observed.
Due to delayed rains the pruning operations in Andhra Pradesh
are expected to commence during February 2002. The result would
be a reduction in the harvest period causing a glut in the market,
according to the market sources here.
APEDA is working out plans to introduce ‘coloured seeded grapes’
in the Andhra Pradesh so as to increase the quality of products
exported. The plant materials are being developed by National
Research Center of Grapes, said an official.
“We are also planning to produce coloured seeded grapes during
February and March and export to south east countries,” said
APEDA sources. The official said that new varieties like Flame
Seedless, Crimson seedless, Red Globe and Red Italia will be
grown in AP with a purpose of exporting these to London and
south-east Asian markets.
Apeda is also have decided to start an awareness campaign for
farmers to have step by step production which can result in
a continuous productivity throughout the year and the season
of availability for grapes can be extended by effective pruning.
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