The program will support farmers across key components, including area expansion under new varieties, drip irrigation, GAP and IPM compliance, canopy and orchard rejuvenation, and post-harvest and export linkages.

DeHaat, India’s leading AgriTech platform, with its established export operations in Nashik under the Freshtrop brand, in partnership with the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, has launched the Grapes Cluster Development Program in Nashik to strengthen India’s global competitiveness in horticulture.

Global grape markets are increasingly moving toward premium, licensed varieties, while India remains largely dominated by traditional open varieties such as Thompson Seedless. This shift is redefining how farmers access high-value markets, with greater emphasis on varietal selection, quality consistency, and traceability.

For grape growers in Nashik, the program comes at a pivotal stage for the sector. As global demand increasingly shifts toward premium, differentiated varieties, early adopters of these new-generation, export-oriented varieties are likely to gain a clear advantage in market access, buyer preference, and price realization.

Ravindra Dangi, Deputy Director, National Horticulture Board, highlighted that the program is structured to provide targeted financial assistance and end-to-end value chain support, enabling farmers to adopt improved practices and integrate more effectively with organized and export markets.

The program will support farmers across key components, including area expansion under new varieties, drip irrigation, GAP and IPM compliance, canopy and orchard rejuvenation, and post-harvest and export linkages. Financial assistance of up to 30–50 per cent will be available across eligible components, subject to applicable NHB cost norms and scheme guidelines.

Karen Smit-Lotriet of Bloom Fresh, sharing a global perspective, highlighted that international markets are increasingly favoring new-generation grape varieties that offer consistency, longer shelf life, and consumer-preferred traits, making varietal transition important for long-term competitiveness.

DeHaat will implement the program through its integrated Seeds to Market platform, combining advisory, input delivery, aggregation, and market linkage capabilities, anchored by its export presence in Nashik.

“Nashik has long been one of India’s most important grape regions. The next phase of growth will belong to farmers who align with global market requirements—better varieties, stronger quality systems, and full traceability,” said Nikhil Toshniwal, Chief Digital Officer, DeHaat. Over the next 3–5 years, the program is expected to accelerate varietal transition and strengthen export readiness, positioning Nashik as a globally benchmarked grape cluster.