Lok Sabha Question No. 2364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-06
Subject: Production of Chikkaballapur Blue Grapes
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2364

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## PRODUCTION OF CHIKKABALLAPUR BLUE GRAPES

## 2364. DR. K SUDHAKAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष और ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has data regarding the production of Chikkaballapur blue grapes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has observed that farmers of Chikkaballapur blue grapes suffered heavy loss during the recent years due to various factors and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  data  regarding  the  total  acreage  under  cultivation  of Chikkaballapur blue grapes during the last five years and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is a mismatch between areas under cultivation and the production due to massive infestation by pests and other natural factors, if so, the details regarding the same;
- (e) the steps and measures taken for promotion of this unique grape variety; and
- (f) whether there has been a heavy decline in the prices of these unique grape varieties in the recent years that have heavily affected our farmers and if so, the details of remedial steps taken to ensure the cost of production is met?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a) to (d): As per the information provided by the Department of Horticulture, Karnataka, Chikkaballapura  blue  grapes  (Bangalore  blue)  are  produced  in  Bengaluru  Rural  and

Chikkaballapura  districts  of  Karnataka.  The  area  and  production  of  Chikkaballapura  blue grapes during the five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23 are given under:

| Area (Ha.) and Production (MT) of Chikkaballapura blue grapes during 2018-19 to 2022-23   | Area (Ha.) and Production (MT) of Chikkaballapura blue grapes during 2018-19 to 2022-23   | Area (Ha.) and Production (MT) of Chikkaballapura blue grapes during 2018-19 to 2022-23   | Area (Ha.) and Production (MT) of Chikkaballapura blue grapes during 2018-19 to 2022-23   | Area (Ha.) and Production (MT) of Chikkaballapura blue grapes during 2018-19 to 2022-23   | Area (Ha.) and Production (MT) of Chikkaballapura blue grapes during 2018-19 to 2022-23   | Area (Ha.) and Production (MT) of Chikkaballapura blue grapes during 2018-19 to 2022-23   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                                                      | Chikkaballapura                                                                           | Chikkaballapura                                                                           | Bengaluru(Rural)                                                                          | Bengaluru(Rural)                                                                          | Total                                                                                     | Total                                                                                     |
| Year                                                                                      | Area (Ha.)                                                                                | Prod (MT)                                                                                 | Area (Ha.)                                                                                | Prod(MT)                                                                                  | Area(Ha.)                                                                                 | Prod(MT)                                                                                  |
| 2018-19                                                                                   | 642                                                                                       | 13864                                                                                     | 1434                                                                                      | 26434                                                                                     | 2076                                                                                      | 40298                                                                                     |
| 2019-20                                                                                   | 830                                                                                       | 19162                                                                                     | 1342                                                                                      | 24594                                                                                     | 2172                                                                                      | 43756                                                                                     |
| 2020-21                                                                                   | 504                                                                                       | 11618                                                                                     | 1057                                                                                      | 19934                                                                                     | 1561                                                                                      | 31552                                                                                     |
| 2021-22                                                                                   | 463                                                                                       | 10707                                                                                     | 1622                                                                                      | 43053                                                                                     | 2085                                                                                      | 53760                                                                                     |
| 2022-23                                                                                   | 568                                                                                       | 13113                                                                                     | 1712                                                                                      | 43086                                                                                     | 2280                                                                                      | 56199                                                                                     |
| Source: D/o Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka                                              | Source: D/o Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka                                              | Source: D/o Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka                                              | Source: D/o Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka                                              | Source: D/o Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka                                              | Source: D/o Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka                                              | Source: D/o Horticulture, Govt. of Karnataka                                              |

The excessive rains received in the Chikkaballapura blue grapes producing regions has resulted in significant reduction of area and loss in production during 2021-22 and 202223.

Further, the quality and shelf life of the Chikkaballapura blue grapes during this period got  deteriorated  due  to  the  excessive  water  content  caused  by  continuous  rains.  The increased  relative  humidity  in  the  atmosphere  during  the  same  period  had  caused  more incidence of downey mildew and powdery mildew diseases to the crops. These factors had adversely affected the demand for Chikkaballapura blue grapes resulting in loss of income for the farmers.

(e): Various steps and measures taken for the promotion of Chikkaballapura blue grapes under various schemes/programmes are given under:

- i. Chikkaballapura Blue grapes (Bangalore Blue) was notified as GI crop (Geographical indication) in the year of 2013.
- ii. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA ) : A sum of Rs. 52,259.00/ha (Rs. 45,693.00 labour cost + Rs. 6,566.00 material cost) is provided as individual benefit for the establishment of new orchards of grapes.
- iii. Pradhan  Mantri  Krishi  Sinchayee  Yojana  -  Per  Drop  More  Crop  PMKSY-PDMC: Subsidy is provided for drip irrigation @ 75% for general category and 90% for SC/ST category farmers.
- iv. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): Assistance is given for use of water soluble fertilizers @ 40% for general category with maximum assistance of         Rs. 24,000/ha and 50% for SC/ST category farmers with maximum assistance of Rs. 30,000/ha.
- v. Through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)/ Integrated Pest Management IPM, farmers  are  provided  with  integrated  pest  and  disease  management  inputs  with maximum assistance of Rs. 2,000/ha.
- vi. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM): Farmers are assisted to purchase boom sprayers and blowers, which are required to control the pests and diseases of Blue grapes with the subsidy of 40% (maximum of Rs. 76,000) for general category farmers and 50% (maximum of Rs. 95,000) subsidy to SC/ST category farmers.
- i. To encourage its area expansion, subsidy is given in the following schemes:
- a.  Comprehensive horticulture development (CHD)
- b.  National Horticulture Mission(NHM)

(f): During the Covid-19 period, the farmers of this region incurred some financial losses due to non-availability of labour for harvesting and issues with marketing the crop, for which assistance  was  provided  by  the  Government  as  relief  under  Comprehensive  Horticulture Development (CHD) programme (special package at Rs.10000/ha.).  Some of the measures taken by the Government to ensure that the growers of Chikkaballapura blue grapes do not suffer financial losses are given under:

- i. Chikkaballapura blue grape producers were advised to enrol for Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) insurance to safeguard against potential losses due to the frequent risk of hailstorms and climate change. Under this, farmers can  avail insurance benefit by paying 5% premium amount of Rs. 14,000.00/ha with sum assured coverage up to Rs. 2,80,000.00/ha. Farmers are also advised to avoid the rainy season crops.
- ii. Helping the farmers for reducing the cost of production and post-harvest loses and improving  the  quality  of  produce  by  providing  assistance  for  drip  irrigation,  plant protection chemicals, sprayers, farm equipment, water soluble fertilizers and packaging materials, etc. and by promoting the use of  boomers and blowers to limit excessive chemical application.

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