Bayer CropScience and leading European fresh produce supplier Univeg are to form a partnership with the ultimate aim of improving table grape production in India.
The announcement came at a recent grape forum in Nasik, which brought together table grape industry stakeholders, leading experts and government officials, The Economic Times reported.
Bayer's Food Chain Partnership Programme will connect all parts of the food value chain with a focus on education and high fruit quality, the group noted.
'Consumers today want to know where and how their food is being produced,' said Anil Jain, chief marketing officer at Bayer CropScience India. 'Our Food Chain Partnerships facilitate benefits to all partners along the food value chain worldwide. The common goal is the sustainable production and supply of high quality fruits and vegetables for nutritious food.'
At the grape forum, some 250 local farmers were educated on table grape production in a safe and sustainable manner, demonstrating how pests and diseases can be managed to maximise productivity and quality.
'Univeg sees a great potential for India to compete in the global grape market,' explained Ben Horsbrugh, director of quality management at Univeg Group. 'Univeg Our experience of working with our growers and exporters on a Food Chain Partnership for Indian grapes with Bayer CropScience has convinced us of the value for all stakeholders in the supply chain, from supplier to the retailer.
'The grape forum provided us an excellent opportunity to strengthen this partnership and to identify ways of improving the quality and sustainability of the grapes we source from India for the European market.'
