Our History -

The Spark of Innovation

Our History

The idea of forming a grape growers’ association was championed by the late Vasantrao Naik, a key architect of Maharashtra’s Green Revolution. Recognising the state’s potential for grape farming, he believed that a dedicated organisation could accelerate progress. After consulting horticulture expert Dr. Gopalkrishnan, Naik convened a meeting of grape growers in Nagpur in 1960. Key attendees included Annasaheb Shembekar, Annasaheb Chichnikar, K.P. Deshmukh (Bapu), S.S. Nilakhe, and Paradkar. Several earlier developments contributed to this momentum. The 1953 All India Grape Exhibition in Hyderabad had sparked national interest, especially around the ‘Anab-e-Shahi’ variety. The College of Agriculture, Pune, had also begun grape-related experiments, and a 1958 grape exhibition received an enthusiastic response. Although growers initially believed grape farming took years to yield results, they became more inclined to cultivate grapes after learning that crops could mature within 18 months. Progressive farmers like K. Annasaheb Shembekar and Raosaheb Boravke conducted successful on-farm experiments and promoted new varieties, helping attract more farmers to grape cultivation.

These efforts laid the foundation for the establishment of the Maharashtra State Grape Growers’ Association, catalysing a transformation in the state’s viticulture landscape. While Vasantrao Naik was the driving force behind forming the grape growers’ organisation, other developments also played a crucial role in its establishment. In 1953, an All India Grape Exhibition was held in Hyderabad, which received a good response for promoting grape cultivation. Notably, the ‘Anab-e-Shahi’ variety from Hyderabad gained significant popularity. Grape-related experiments were underway at the College of Agriculture in Pune.
Following this, a grape exhibition was held in 1958, which received an excellent response from farmers. Overall, there was a great deal of interest in grape cultivation among farmers. At that time, people believed that grape production took a long time to yield returns. However, when farmers realised that grapes could be produced within a year and a half, their inclination towards grape cultivation naturally increased. K. Annasaheb Shevker and the late Raosaheb Boravke conducted various experiments on their own farms and propagated new varieties, attracting farmers to grape cultivation.

And The Journey Begins:

Under these circumstances, the Association’s journey began. The late Vasantrao Naik was the state’s Agriculture Minister around that time (1959-60). He had identified that the climate in certain parts of the state was very suitable for grape cultivation, and there was considerable scope for grape growth. However, the use of modern techniques was essential. Furthermore, it was vital to exchange experiences gained after using these techniques for the growth of grape cultivation. Scientific guidance and determining the right directions for a bright future were also necessary. The late Vasantrao Naik recognised that only an organisation of grape growers could achieve all these objectives. Fortunately, he was supported by expert officers like Dr. N. Gopalkrishnan and hardworking growers like the late Raosaheb Boravke, Abasaheb Boravke, and Annasaheb Shevker. As a result, the Grape Growers’ Association was established in 1960. Subsequently, it was registered under the Public Trust Act and the Societies Act, and its constitution was drafted. The inclusion of key principles and rules in this constitution indicates that the drafters had thoroughly considered all three components: grape cultivation, grape growers, and the organisation. On 15th March 1960, at a meeting held at the Ganesh Khind Fruit Research Station Pune, extensive discussions took place. With everyone’s consent, the late Annasaheb Shevker was elected as President for the initial work, the late D.K. Gaikwad and the late Shankarrao N. Boravke as Vice-Presidents, and Nilakhe as Secretary. The next important meeting was held on 10th May 1960, at 2 PM, in the Agricultural Laboratory of the Horticulture Department, under the chairmanship of the late Annasaheb Shevker. At this meeting, a seven-member executive committee was elected. Thus, a new era began for grape cultivation.

The MRDBS’s constitution
and rules were published in a pamphlet, which included the following objectives:
• To ensure the overall development of grape cultivation and grape growers.
• To provide technical advice to grape growers, import and supply fertilisers, fungicides,
insecticides, growth hormones, and other materials, and raise loans from banks for this purpose.
• To conduct research on grape cultivation, strive to reduce production costs, improve grape
quality, breed and promote new grape varieties, adopt new technologies for their cultivation and
production, conduct experiments on fertilisers, water, pruning, etc., and establish and operate
laboratories at various locations.
• To arrange for the supply of high-quality grape grafts from government or private nurseries.
• To arrange for adequate and long-term loans from the government or other institutions to improve
and expand grape cultivation.
• To consult with relevant institutions and endeavour to provide suitable facilities for proper
transportation of grapes to distant sales centres.
• To establish libraries to provide modern information on grapes, including books and articles.
• To organise demonstrations of grape cultivation, study tours for information gathering,
exhibitions, and study groups.
• To strive to increase the sale and demand for grapes.
• To purchase immovable and movable property.
• The MRDBS was registered under the Societies Registration Act (Mumbai 364 P.M.) and also as
a Public Trust (F 277, Pune) on 23 December 1960.
The Association’s name was decided as ‘Maharashtra Rajya Draksh Bagaitdar Sangh’
(Maharashtra State Grape Growers’ Association), and its office was initially set to be in Baramati.

Later, Pune was chosen as a more convenient and central location for all grape growers in
Maharashtra, and the Association’s office was moved to Pune from July 1964.

Significant Achievements and Challenges:

During the 25 years from 1986 to 2009, notable increases in the area under grape cultivation, membership numbers, grape production, and grape exports must be mentioned. Recognising the developed technology in grape farming at a global level, the development of new advanced grape varieties, and the techniques for export-quality grape production, the Grape Growers’ Association also felt the need to expand its work and change its direction. The Association consciously strived to solve many issues, such as the availability of water-soluble fertilisers, the fraud and harassment faced by grape producers regarding hormones and other chemicals, ignorance about grape export regulations, and the lack of new varieties for exporting grapes according to global market preferences. Based on the experience of the last 25 years, the MRDBS accurately identified the problems encountered in grape management and made continuous efforts to resolve them. The MRDBS outlined its work plan considering some key problems listed below: • Salinity and alkalinity of land under grape cultivation. • Grape vineyards in calcareous soils. • Untimely and insufficient rainfall and water scarcity for grape vineyards. • Shortage of essential items like iron, cement, fertilisers, and medicines required for establishing vineyards, increased prices, and fraud by traders. • Skyrocketing labour wages and a lack of manpower. • Shortage of packaging and other materials required for export. • Lack of proper facilities for grape transportation and increased transport costs. • Insufficient cold storage facilities for grape preservation. • Dependence on certain pest and disease control agents, plant growth regulators, medicines, water-soluble fertilisers, etc.

Manjri Farm Research Centre:

A plan costing ₹1.22 crore was approved to establish a training centre at Manjri Farm, a site transferred by the Government of Maharashtra. The Grape Growers’ Association was required to have its own vineyard to gain recognition from the Government of India as a research institution. This required a minimum of 15 acres of land. Many efforts were made to get sufficient land from the state government, and in 1988, 11 acres of land at Manjri Farm were provided by the government to establish a research centre. A laboratory, packaging house, residential apartments, and a canteen were built at the Association’s Manjri Farm site. The laboratory was inaugurated in September 1995 by Dr. Manmohan Singh, then Finance Minister of India, Dr. Balram Jakhar, then Union Minister for Agriculture, and Hon. Sharad Pawar were also present.

Recognition of the National Grape Research Centre:

Recognising the need for extensive and in-depth research from grape cultivation to grape processing, the Association tirelessly pursued the establishment of a national-level grape research centre in Maharashtra through the state government to the central government. These efforts succeeded, and the National Grape Research Centre was established at Manjri. The long-pending issue of land transfer for this purpose was finally resolved.

Approval for Raisin Production Proposal:

A project was implemented by the Association to produce high-quality raisins. Under this, a 500 kg solar-powered grape drying plant was commissioned in the Nashik region, and a 100 kg plant in the Sangli region.

Raisin Sales System:

To stop the exploitation of raisin producers by traders, the Association made special efforts to facilitate open auction sales of raisins at the Sangli Agricultural Produce Market Committee. This led to better prices for raisins and benefited raisin producers. The Association’s efforts also succeeded in getting sales tax on raisins cancelled. The Association’s efforts also led to a reduction in duty on expensive dipping oil required for raisin production, benefiting thousands of raisin producers. The widespread sale of fake GA (Gibberellic Acid) in the market and the resulting deception of growers were exposed due to the Association’s vigilance.

Efforts for Government Grape Crop Compensation:

During the 1994-95 grape season, there was a widespread incidence of diseases in the Nashik region. Additionally, grape vineyards in Pune and Sangli districts were severely affected by hailstorms. In response, the Association contacted scientists from agricultural universities and the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru. Scientists’ visits were organised in the Nashik region for in-depth studies. These studies revealed that while downy mildew was more prevalent in Nashik district’s grape vineyards, other diseases such as Alternaria, Macrophomina, Oidium, sulphur toxicity from water-soluble sulphur, micronutrient deficiencies, and Cladosporium were also found. Alternaria was also found to be spreading widely in Maharashtra.

Efforts Made to Government to Address Grape Producers' Difficulties:

• Reducing electricity tariffs for cold storage.
• Reinstating the facility to accept Printed Form 14 for sales tax on essential packing materials for
export.
• Reducing tax on pesticides.
• Reserving 10% of the District Industries Centre’s budget for infrastructure components required
for grape export.
• Including raisins in the nutritional diet of state government primary schools and aided schools.
• The State Agriculture Department advertising seasonal fruits, including grapes, on national
television channels.

Establishment of the Wine Board:

Due to the Association’s special initiative, the Wine Board was established in India in 2003-2004. Efforts were made to import grape varieties suitable for wine production from renowned nurseries abroad and make them available to farmers. The MRDBS has earned several state and national accolades for its work in promoting sustainable farming and empowering farmers. It also partners with key organisations like ICAR, APEDA, NABARD and DBT; and continues to be a strong voice for farmers in policy matters. Many of its member farmers have received national recognition for their achievements under MRDBS’s guidance. In recent developments, during the 2024–25 grape season, MRDBS observed a significant 40% decline in production due to unseasonal rainfall. Despite this, the organisation took proactive steps to support farmers, manage price expectations, and maintain stability in the market. This highlights MRDBS’s commitment to standing by farmers even during crises. MRDBS is not merely a cooperative federation—it is a symbol of farmers’ aspirations, confidence, and collective growth. It not only provides the tools and knowledge for better farming but also enables access to better prices, international markets, and a secure future for the grape growers of Maharashtra!