Date: 2026-05-15Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Honourable Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the ICAR–National Research Centre for Grapes (ICAR–NRCG), Pune
**Executive Summary**
On 15 May 2026, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the ICAR–National Research Centre for Grapes (ICAR–NRCG) in Pune to review research, export promotion, and sustainable viticulture. The Minister emphasized the urgent need for climate-resilient, high-yielding grape varieties and expressed concern over the slow progress of the Clean Plant Centre. Key action items include rectifying nursery system irregularities and strengthening technical guidance to farmers to mitigate crop losses caused by climate change.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Research and Development Priorities**
* Focus on developing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and export-quality grape varieties suited to current market demands.
* Development of short-duration grape varieties to enhance productivity.
* Emphasis on precision viticulture, water-use efficiency, and integrated pest management.
* Ongoing work on residue-free production systems and advanced residue analysis.
* **Institutional Infrastructure and Improvements**
* Requirement for timely improvements and effective implementation of the proposed Clean Plant Centre to ensure disease-free planting material.
* Immediate need to address observed irregularities in the existing nursery system.
* Updating of the "package of practices" for grape cultivation to align with changing climatic conditions.
* Integration of mechanization in grape farming to address labor shortages and the use of plastic covers for crop protection.
* **Strategic Collaborations and Dissemination**
* Strengthening Public–Private Partnership (PPP) collaborations for the development and dissemination of new technologies.
* Enhancing international exposure for scientists to bring advanced global technologies to the domestic sector.
* Improving the dissemination of research and technical guidance directly to grape growers.
**Impact Analysis**
**ICAR–NRCG Scientists and Researchers**
**Impact**
Identified as the "backbone of agricultural advancement," they are under increased pressure to deliver science-based innovations and accelerate the Clean Plant Centre project.
**Action Required**
Must address nursery irregularities, seek international exposure, and focus research on climate resilience, mechanization, and high-export quality varieties.
**Grape Farmers / Growers**
**Impact**
Currently facing significant crop losses due to climate change, unseasonal rainfall, and viral diseases; they are also hindered by inadequate technical guidance.
**Action Required**
Need to adopt updated scientific practices, utilize disease-free planting material, and implement mechanization and plastic cover technologies as they become available.
**Private Sector Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Viewed as essential partners for scaling technology and improving the grape value chain.
**Action Required**
Enter into or strengthen Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) with ICAR–NRCG for technology development and dissemination.
Key Entities Referenced
ICAR–National Research Centre for Grapes (ICAR–NRCG): The premier research institute in Pune reviewed for its work on grape production, export promotion, and sustainable viticulture.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare who reviewed research activities and highlighted the need for climate-resilient and export-quality grape varieties.
Clean Plant Centre: A project focused on providing disease-free planting material to farmers, which was noted for needing progress improvements.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: The central ministry responsible for directing agricultural research and farmer-oriented technology development.
Maharashtra: The key geographic location contributing nearly 80 percent of India’s grape production, making it central to the institute's impact.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Honourable Union Minister of Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited
the ICAR–National Research Centre for Grapes
(ICAR–NRCG), Pune
Honourable Minister highlighted need to develop climate-
resilient, high-yielding, export-quality grape varieties and
strengthen technical guidance to farmers
Shri Chouhan expressed concern over slow progress of
Clean Plant Centre, stressed need for timely improvements
Posted On: 15 MAY 2026 6:18PM by PIB Mumbai
Pune | 15 May 2026
Honourable Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural
Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited the ICAR–National Research Centre for
Grapes (ICAR–NRCG), Pune, to review the institute’s research and development
activities related to grape production, export promotion, quality enhancement, and
sustainable viticulture practices.During the visit, the Honourable Minister planted saplings on the institute campus
along with dignitaries under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, highlighting the
importance of environmental sustainability and green initiatives in agricultural
research institutions.
The Honourable Minister inspected various research and experimental facilities of
the institute, including the germplasm block, research fields, nursery units,
laboratories, and advanced residue analysis facilities. Scientists briefed him about
ongoing work on disease management, climate-resilient grape varieties, precision
viticulture, water-use efficiency, integrated pest management, and residue-free
grape production systems aimed at enhancing grape productivity and quality.Addressing scientists, farmers, and stakeholders, Shri Chouhan described
researchers as the “backbone of agricultural advancement” and appreciated their
commitment toward improving farmers’ livelihoods through science-based
innovations and technologies.
The Honourable Minister stated that ICAR–NRCG is a highly important institution as
grapes are a major commercial crop, and Maharashtra alone contributes nearly 80
percent of the country’s grape production. He noted that grape growers are
currently facing serious challenges due to climate change, unseasonal and excessive
rainfall, and increasing incidence of viral and other diseases, resulting in significant
crop losses. Extensive discussions were held on how the institute can further
strengthen its research and farmer-oriented interventions to address these
emerging challenges.
The Honourable Minister reviewed the progress of the proposed Clean Plant Centre
for grapes, aimed at ensuring the availability of healthy and disease-free planting
material to farmers. During the visit, certain irregularities were observed in the
nursery system, while farmers raised concerns regarding grape varieties and
inadequate technical guidance. Shri Chouhan emphasized the need to develop high-
yielding, export-quality, and farmer-friendly grape varieties suited to present-day
requirements.
Expressing concern over the slow progress of the Clean Plant Centre project, the
Honourable Minister stressed the need for timely improvements and effective
implementation. He highlighted the importance of disease-free planting material,
advanced technologies, international exposure for scientists, and stronger
dissemination of improved practices for the benefit of grape growers.Shri Chouhan further discussed several important aspects related to the future of
grape cultivation, including climate-resilient approaches to overcome emerging
challenges in viticulture, the use of plastic covers for improving grape production,
mechanization in grape farming to address labour shortages, and the development
of short-duration grape varieties. He also emphasized the need for updating
advanced and need-based package of practices for grape cultivation in line with
changing climatic conditions and global market demands.
The Honourable Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening Public–Private
Partnership (PPP) collaborations with ICAR–NRCG for technology development and
dissemination.
The visit concluded with detailed deliberations on farmers’ concerns, institutional
challenges, and strategies to further strengthen India’s grape sector through
scientific research, innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices.
***Harshral Akude/Parshuram Kor
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
(Release ID: 2261512) Visitor Counter : 53
Read this release in: Marathi