The total funds allocated by the Government over a period of three years for the establishment of the IGPB are Rs. 59.3 million ($1.2 million) according to the minister, Kapil Sibal, Science and Technology Minister. Following are the highlights of the Board:
- The Ministry under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, will register the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB) as a society.
- It will be autonomous from its very inception. Initially facilitated by the Government and managed and driven by the industry, the Board is expected to boost growth of the sector, benefiting both the producers and the processors.
- The headquarters of the Board will be at Pune in Maharashtra, which is close to the principal grape growing and processing areas in the country.
- The Board will foster the sustainable development of the Indian wine industry and will focus on Research & Development, Extension, Quality up-gradation, Market Research and Information, Domestic and International Promotion of Indian wine.
- The objective of the Board will be to increase awareness and capacity building among farmers, processors and other stakeholders resulting in increased productivity, reduced wastage and improved quality of grapes and wine conforming to global standards.
This is the first time such a Board is being set up. A National Wine Board is already on the anvil.
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