The Bengal Chamber, in collaboration with ICAR-NRCG, has organized the National Grape Summit 2025 themed as “From Vines to Value – Transforming the Grape Industry. This summit aims to highlight advancements in grape farming techniques and post-harvest management; showcase emerging opportunities in grape-based industries such as wine production and food processing; promote sustainable practices and export potential to enhance India’s position in the global market; facilitate dialogue among policymakers, entrepreneurs, and experts to create actionable strategies for industry growth and organize a planned visit to selected vineyards as part of promoting viti-tourism and showcasing the integration of tourism with grape cultivation and wine production
Grapes hold a significant position in India’s agricultural landscape as one of the most remunerative fruit crops with an annual production exceeding 3,900 thousand tons, India stands as a major grape-producing nation. However, less than 10 per cent of the total produce is exported, primarily due to challenges such as lack of awareness and inadequate infrastructural support for meeting the quality and food safety standards required by importing countries. The national level summit was organized to exchange the ideas and sharing experiences between the policy-makers, researchers, farmers, businesses and tourism promoters.
Indian grapes are next Darjeeling tea if marketed suitably, said Dr. Subrata Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)at the National Grape Summit at Pune by the Bengal Chamber and National Research Centre for Grapes. He also mentioned about the MoFPI schemes which may be leverage to strengthen processing industries related to grapes.
In a country where arable land is limited and continuously shrinking, it becomes imperative to focus on developing and disseminating technologies aimed at enhancing productivity and improving the quality of grapes. This would enable farmers to achieve better financial returns per unit of crop area, discouraging a shift to other crops. Furthermore, to boost exports, it is crucial to explore the potential of indigenously developed grape varieties and expand market reach beyond the traditional EU destinations. Domestically, the stringent FSSAI standards also call for a greater focus on capacity-building initiatives to ensure compliance said Dr. Kaushik Banerjee, Director ICAR-NRCG. Pune, located in Maharashtra, is the ideal venue for the National Grape Summit 2025 due to its central role in India’s grape industry, with the state contributing around 80 per cent of the country’s grape production. Surrounded by some of the country’s most productive vineyards, Pune offers participants direct exposure to advanced grape farming techniques and successful practices. The city is also a key player in India’s rapidly expanding wine industry, serving as a hub that integrates both agriculture and wine production. Its proximity to renowned research institutions, such as ICAR-NRCG, positions Pune at the forefront of innovation in grape cultivation, pest management, and post-harvest technologies. Pune’s excellent accessibility by air, road, and rail ensures seamless participation from stakeholders across the nation. Additionally, the region’s thriving agro-tourism industry offers a unique opportunity to explore the fusion of agriculture and tourism, making it a perfect setting for a summit that aims to promote both industry growth and sustainable practices said Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, National Committee for Agri-Horti-Food Processing of The Bengal Chamber.
The programme was addressed by international experts including Mr. Simon Wiebusch, President, Bayer, South Asia. Dr. Nilanjan Sanyal, Head R&D, South Asia, BASF India Ltd.
For promoting grape tourism, the conclave is followed by grape vines and winery visits in Nasik the way tea-tourism is promoted in Darjeeling and other north Bengal districts.
