Annual grape production in the country is estimated to be 1.6 million metric tonnes and area under cultivation about 60 thousand hectares. Approximately 80% of total production, irrespective of variety, is consumed fresh. Of the total grapes produced in the country about 1% is processed into wine. The Indian wine market is growing rapidly at the rate of 25-30% per annum for the last five years.
The wine industry is in its budding stage in the country and so far as not been able to establish any structure for the integrated development of the wine industry on its own. They have been repeatedly requesting for initial government support to put up an industry driven structure for the overall development of the wine sector.
Hence the proposed NWB is proposed as totally industry driven structure with the Chairman from the industry itself since inception. In view of the constraints faced by the evolving wine industry, until and unless the Government takes a proactive initiative, the sector may not be able to realise the true potential on its own.
The proposed Board, initially facilitated by the Government and managed/ driven by the industry, is expected to boost growth of the sector, benefiting both the producers and the processors. The industry has also welcomed this initiative of the Ministry in the Consultation meeting held on 18th July, 2008 at Mumbai to discuss the constitution of NWB. The meeting was attended by the stakeholders of the industry viz. Wine Producers Association, Grape Growers Association, industry and academia.
Major objectives of the Board are :
1. To formulate a vision and action plan for the growth of Indian Wine Sector including research and development for quality up-gradation in new technologies/processes
2. 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
3. Increase in farmers’ income and employment generation, with a particular focus on rural areas.
4. Encouragement to cluster farming, contract farming and farm diversification.
Benefits of value addition brought to farming community and farmers fetching remunerative prices for their produce.
5. 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.
Structure of the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB)
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).
Delhi February 26, 2009 |