A Round Table for Indian Grape Growers

On October 7, 2024, more than 100 grape growers gathered in the Indian city of Nashik to participate at a round table conference on the best management practices in grape cultivation. Nashik, known as the “grape capital of India,” is a major hub for grape cultivation, producing over half of India’s grape exports. Many grape farmers in Nashik use advanced farming techniques, including drip irrigation and fertigation.

Mrs. Gali Carmi, Agronomy | WSF & Straights Specialist, delivered a compelling presentation on crop management for table grapes, highlighting the latest agricultural innovations with a focus on nutrition and irrigation. Andre Luiz de Freitas Ferraz, Market Development Manager, ICL Brazil, shared his extensive expertise in nutrient management, providing tailored advice on the specific nutrient requirements of various grape varieties. Sanjay Biradar, Chief Agronomist, ICL India, rounded off the event with a comprehensive overview of plant nutrition and soil health fundamentals, concluding with an introduction to ICL’s product portfolio.

For the grape cultivation in Nashik area, ICL’s experts recommend following products from the company’s extensive offer:

• Polysulphate for soil applications
• Nutrivant Starter, Booster, Fruit and Peakvant for foliar nutrition
• Fertigation with Fertiflow 7-50-7+2Zn, 12-6-22+12CaO, MagPhos, CalciPhos, PeKacid and Potassium Plus. And also Fertiflow Grow 12-36-6+3 MgO+4S for vegetative growth and Fertiflow Bloom  8-24-24+4MgO+6S for reproductive stage.

ICL agronomists checking the grapes in a Nashik vineyard

The event was met with enthusiasm from attendees, who expressed gratitude for the crop-specific support and guidance provided. Many growers left with newfound knowledge and practical strategies to implement in their vineyards. The success of this round table conference underscores the growing importance of knowledge-sharing events in the agricultural sector.

As grape cultivation continues to play a significant role in India’s agricultural landscape, such initiatives promise to drive innovation and sustainability in the industry.