The Maharashtra State Grape Growers Assocation (MRDBS) has announced it plans to import six table grape varieties from California into India by 2015.
“We have old varieties and their disease prevention power has reduced,” Ashok Gaikwad, president of MRDBS told the Times of India.
India began importing the Thompson Seedless variety into its major grape production region of Maharastra in the 1960s. Since then, its disease prevention capacity has diminished, according to Gaikwad. “Therefore, we are planning to import new table grape varieties in the state.”
A request has been sent by MRDBS to the University of California for six varieties, including Thompson Seedless, raisin and red-coloured varieties.
The varieties will be planted at a 10ha farm by January 2015, before being made available to farmers by December 2016.
Grapes account for 33.6 per cent of India’s fresh fruit exports, expanding at a five-year compound annual growth of 8 per cent according to the International Trade Centre.
