Rs six crore worth grapes damaged due to rains

Torrential rains lashing the district for the last 20 days have resulted in the loss of grape cultivation, amounting to about Rs six crore.
The produce in nearly 1,000 acre was totally damaged affecting the income of 300 growers in and around Madampatti on the outskirts, President of Coimbatore District Grapes Growers Association, Vijayan told PTI today.
The loss of the crop in all the three stages - flowering, ripe and fruit - weighed about 200 tonnes and would have fetched Rs six crore, he said.
The loss on one side, the growers are now thinking of taking another crop to supplement their income as the ground water in the area was recharged remarkably, due to the rain, which would be favourable for grape cultivation, he said.

Investment to the crop apart, the government can assist the growers by providing 100 per cent subsidy for replacing the drip irrigation equipment, laid some 15 to 20 years ago, Vijayan said.
Moreover, the growers also wanted Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to come forward and guide them properly about the crop and weather condition, Vijayan said.