An obscure village in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram is going to grab global attention, thanks to grapes.
Hnahlan village in Mizoram's capital Aizwal may soon emerge as the largest grape producing village in India soon, officials from the Indian government's Horticulture Mission said.
Grape cultivation is extensively carried out in Hnahlan village. A team of experts from the Horticulture Mission, who visited the village recently, said they are convinced that, with its suitable climate and soil conditions, the region had the capability for double cropping of grapes.
"Around 80 per cent of the villagers are engaged in grape-cultivation, and are now reaping the fruits of their labour," a senior official from the Horticulture Mission told Commodity Online.
The enthusiasm of the grape farmers has been fueled by the amendment of the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (MLTP) Act. The Act had earlier prevented them from large-scale commercialization of their products and winemaking from grapes.
The
green foliages and fruits of the grape gardens in Mizoram would be ready for harvest by the later part of July.
Generally, one quintal of grape juice is worth as much as Rs 15,000 according to the present rate of grape juice.
Officials said grape cultivation is a better alternative to the toilsome, primitive, but hard-to-part-with shifting cultivation.
Unlike all other commercial crops in the state, grape cultivation in Hnahlan was not initiated by the state government, but by a certain farmer with a vision.
Grape-cultivation had brought about a sea change in the socio-economic lives of the villagers.
However, Hnahlan grapes were not without foes. Pests (locally referred to as Keltelaimawm) constantly ransacked the grapes. To combat this menace, the Horticulture department had been providing them with adequate pesticides and GI wires.
Owing to the fact that wine-making grapes in India were largely imported, Hnahlan has now high hopes of becoming the largest raw material producer for wineries across the country.