Dr. Avnish Jolly, 26th February, 2009 :Government of India has launched a Grape Processing Board in Pune to provide a platform for the advocacy of Indian wine sector and promote cooperative efforts backward and forward linkages between growers and wine industry in general.On launching the board, Subodh Kant Sahai , Minister of Food Processing Industries informed that it is proposed that the board of IGPB may consist of a Chairman and 14 members including a Convener/Secretary of the board (Total 15 members). It initially facilitated by the government and managed by the industry, is expected to boost growth of the sector, benefiting both the producers and the processors and will formulate a vision and action plan for the growth of Indian wine sector including research and development for quality upgradation in new technologies and processes.
Grape board will collaborate and advise wine-grape growers, wine processing industry, central and state governments on commercial, regulatory and technical issues related to the Indian wine sector, including best practices in viticulture. Besides helping farmers to increase income and employment generation, with a particular focus on rural areas, the board will encourage cluster farming, contract farming and farm diversification.
The board will bring benefits of value addition to farming community and help farmers fetch remunerative prices for their produce and will also coordinate with premier research and development institutes to identify and develop appropriate root-stock and wine varieties of grapes suited for different geo-climatic regions of India.