The grape growers on Monday urged the state government to give 80% subsidy on procurement of plastic covers to protect vineyards from unseasonal rains and hail and extend the cover period of weather-based crop insurance scheme up to June 6.

The demands came during a workshop on April pruning of grapes, organized by the Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagayatdar Sangh (MRDBS), the association of grape growers. Divisional revenue commissioner (Nashik division) Eknath Dawle, who presided over the inaugural session of the workshop, asked the association to submit their demands to the agricultural department so that he would follow up the issue with the government.

Kailas Bhosle, association's Nashik unit president, said: "The present grape season has been badly affected by the unseasonal rains and hails. Since October 15 last year, the unseasonal rains and hails have occurred 16 times. This has developed cracks in the grapes and affected the quality. The production cost of grape is Rs 25 a kg, but farmers had to sell their grapes at Rs 8 to 10 a kg. This year, there has also been a reduction in the weight of grapes by 30% to 40%; expense on spraying and other works to protect grapes from bad weather also increased by 30%."

Bhosle added, "The vineyards can be protected by using plastic net covers, but it costs Rs 6.5 lakh per acre. Hence, the government should give up to 80% subsidy on plastic covers to grape-growers."

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/