Grape growers count their losses

The grape growers of Sangli, however, remained safe from the rain, as they had harvested the fruit in February. “ Maharashtra exports around 55,000 tons of grape, most of which comes from Sangli markets in February. So according to our information, the worst hit are the Marathwada farmers. Sangli might be less affected in grape loss. But in the raisin business, they are the worst hit, “ Pawar told The Indian Express on Monday.

But those farmers who have harvested the crop and were busy in converting them into raisin in Sangli, Miraj, Tasgao, Nagaj, Pandharpur and Solapur areas, have suffered a huge loss. The rain has changed the colour and quality of raisin and would be sold in the market at meagre rates. A greenish colour can raise the rates up to Rs.100 per kilogram. “ After the change in quality and colour of raisin, the market will collapse and the farmers may get Rs.50 per kg. The fall in prices will make thousands of raisin producers bankrupt as they have spent a lot of money on growing grapes and processing the raisin,” Pawar said.

The Solapur grape growers have rushed to the district collectorate and handed over a memorandum seeking government help. The Shetkari Sanghatna leader Vasantrao Apte has urged the state government to assess the damages on a war footing and sought an aid of Rs. one lakh immediately.