Pune: Urgent Need for Subsidies to Safeguard Vineyards from Climatic Challenges, Emphasizes Sharad Pawar
Pimpri Chinchwad, 27th August 2023: Natural disasters on the rise due to global warming have prompted the call for protective measures over vineyards. Senior leader and former Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar, stressed the significance of introducing a plastic cover system for vineyards as a safeguard.
To facilitate this, Pawar urged the state government to take a proactive step by providing a substantial 50 percent subsidy. Additionally, Pawar advocated for a central government subsidy akin to those extended for onion chali, to bolster currant plantations.
Pawar shared these insights at the inauguration of the 63rd Draksha Parishad 2023, organized by the Maharashtra State Grape Growers Association. The event saw the presence of prominent figures such as Dr Kailas Mote, Director of Horticulture, Shivaji Pawar, President of the Grapes Growers Association, and Kailas Bhosale, Vice President, among others.
Acknowledging the vulnerability of grape cultivation, Pawar underscored the escalating threat posed by climatic shifts including extreme cold, heat waves, monsoons, and hailstorms. He stressed that in the event of hail crises or other natural calamities, grape farmers suffer substantial losses.
To mitigate these risks, Pawar advocated for the installation of plastic covers over vineyards, and implored the state government to provide a 50 percent subsidy.
Pawar commended the diligent work ethic of grape farmers, noting their progressive mindset and enhanced standard of living compared to other crop growers. The grape industry encompasses four and a half lakh acres in the state, necessitating a coordinated approach between state and central governments to ensure market availability. Pawar stressed the importance of accurate information about grape cultivation areas.
In terms of financial stability for farmers, Pawar highlighted the challenges posed by natural disasters, which hinder loan repayment capabilities. He urged the central government to collaborate with finance and agriculture departments to formulate strategic decisions, including protecting vineyard loans for up to five years and providing interest concessions.
Pawar also addressed the predicament of gooseberry growers and called for grant assistance similar to that offered for setting up onion chala, focusing on currant plantations. He noted that while India imports 25 thousand tons of currants from Afghanistan, there exists immense potential to cultivate them domestically. Pawar emphasized the need for quality production to penetrate international markets and underscored the importance of raising awareness about currants’ merits.
On the subject of grape transportation, Pawar urged for renewed efforts to secure subsidies for sea transport, a crucial component of grape exports. He stressed that India should strive to maximize grape exports, given its status as a leading exporter.
