GRAPE TOWN OF KASHMIR, GANDERBAL; STATUS OF AREA AND PRODUCTION OF GRAPES(VITIS VINIFERA)

Abstract

A Grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody wines of the flowering plants genus vitis. The horticulture sector immensely contributes to strengthen the financial condition of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, poverty alleviation, employment generation and has become a core sector of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. It supports around 23 lakh people with direct and indirect work and has the potential for more growth. In view of this, the State Government has declared horticulture a major area and is implementing several measures to enhance it. It is also known as the back bone of the Jammu and Kashmir's economy. The area under the fruit in Jammu and Kashmir has increased from 2.21 lakh hectare in 2001-2002 to 3.33 lakh hectare in 2017-2018 likewise the production has increased from 10.97 Lakh MT's in 2001-2002 to 24.29 Lakh MT's in 2017-2018. Ganderbal, particularly known as The Grape Town of Kashmir is located between 34.23oN and 74.78oE at an average elevation of 1619 metres a.m.s.l. Repora village in Ganderbal district is famous for grapes and one of the Sufi saints of Kashmir Sheikh-ul-Alam has spoken golden words about Repora as "Dachi Repore Nazar Chapoor" means (Repora, the village of grapes and eyes on all sides). The area under grapes in Ganderbal has increased from 84 hectare in 2007-2008 to 192 hectares in 2017-2018, and the production of grapes in the district has increased from 265 MTs in 2007-2008 to 572 MTs in 2017-2018. This study is based on secondary sources of data and an attempt has been made to know the increase in area and production of grapes in district Ganderbal