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| Bleak future for MP grape growers |
| Shashikant Trivedi / New Delhi/ Bhopal Sep 05, 2009, 00:58 IST |
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At a time when the state Department of Industries is gearing up to market Madhya Pradesh’s potential and food processing sector, sloppy rules and regulations have choked the sole and the first winery of the state established by a group of farmers last year.
As many as 18 grape growers of Titri village of Ratlam district (300 kms away from Bhopal) had decided to venture into the business on cooperative model three years ago but now they have few options as sale of their wine is under government control.
In 2006, the state government had assured them of extending full cooperation and launched a ‘Grape Processing Industry Policy’ to put wine out of the ambit of the Excise Act and award it the food processing status so that the vintners can retail their product.
But later, when the farmers established their company Patel Wine & Fruit Processing Industry Pvt Ltd, the government officials turned hostile and took control of sale of the wine branded as ‘Ambi’.
“We have brewed 27,000 litres from home-grown Shiraj and Cabernet Blonc varieties of grapes. But we have sold only 1,000 litres. This has put us under severe financial strain and we had to take loans from local money lenders to repay bank loan instalments,” Motilal Patidar, head of the company said.
He added, “Our debts are mounting and we are facing difficulty to run it. If the government allows us to retail our brand, like neighbouring state Maharashtra, we will be able to come out of the deep red. Since wine and liquor is a social taboo in our community, we fear social outcast.”
In fact wine is not fully out of ambit of State Excise Act instead the vintners have to market and it through government owned excise depots. Senior officials of excise and horticulture department were not available for comment but a source in government said, “Retailing of wine requires fresh amendment to the Excise Policy and only state cabinet can permit it.”
In absence of government support and financial squeeze the vintners have found it difficult to export their brand to other states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. “The duty is as high as 200% in other states,” Patidar said.
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