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The Maharashtra State Govt.
has taken the initiative of nominating a nodal agency for implementing its
wine policies. The nodal agency is Maharashtra Industrial Development
Corp.(MIDC) The Corp. has already established wine parks in Nahsik and
Sangli. Now MIDC has tied up with Bharti Vidyapith, the largest non Govt.
educational institute in the State for opening a wine institute. The
modalities are being worked out. The proposed wine institute will initiate
courses for farmers in development of wine, grape cultivation and also
provide education to service industry. MIDC has also established a grape
board.
Maharashtra State has taken the initiative in implementing a policy for
encouragement of wine grape cultivation and also wine consumption in
preference to other alcoholic beverages. The State is also the largest
producer and consumer of wine in the country.
Maharashtra State which about 30,000 ha under grape cultivation and produces
about 800,000 tonnes of grapes every year. However only about 3% of the
grape production is of wine grape variety leaving ample scope of
development.
The wine friendly policies of Maharashtra State Govt. offers ideal
opportunities for large international wineries for introducing their brands
in the fast growing Indian wine market either directly or through a tie up
with some local wineries.
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