In Karnataka’s Belagavi, Farmer Grows 6-inch Long Grapes

Green grapes are a favourite fruit of many. Generally, the grapes that are available in the market are small in size. But have you heard of or seen green grapes which are 5 to 6 inches long? According to reports, a farmer in Belagavi, Chikodi sub-division, Karnataka, grows 5 to 6 inches of long grapes, which has left the onlookers in awe.

The name of the farmer is Arjuna Mali, who hails from Billur village on the border of Karnataka. Arjuna, who grows these long grapes, has taken large land to grow these different varieties of grapes, which are known as the VSD variety, and has now attracted the attention of many. The farmers who work on his farm are originally from Kohalli Village in Athni (Belgaum), Karnataka.

Reports suggest that Arjuna Mali first brought this variety of grapes from Maharashtra’s Kavathe Mahankal and used Israeli-style technology to grow these long grapes. A normal grape yield is 10 tonnes per acre, while the innovative VSD grape variety yields around 20 tons per acre. It fetches Rs 200 to Rs 300 per kg in the market.

Overall, this innovative grape crop has attracted the attention of many agricultural researchers. The rest of the farmers are seeing all the signs that this crop will be a boon. As per reports, farmers wish that the agriculture department would conduct more research on this grape variety and make the farmers aware of the grapes.

However, earlier in 2021, farmers in Belagavi chopped off their grape crops because unseasonal rain had caused heavy damage to the berries and brought hefty losses to the farmers. Farmer Jahid Nadaf from Kokatanur village in the Athani taluk of Belagavi destroyed all the grapes in his three-acre vineyard. As per reports, Jahid was in acute distress after losing Rs 3-4 lakh that he invested in the crop.

In Belagavi, over 4,500 hectares of grapes were cultivated in Athani, Kagawad, Gokak and other areas. Athani taluk is known for grapes and the untimely rain has led to large losses for growers who have already suffered financially in 2020 because of the lockdown.