Raja Syed Rather
Ganderbal, Aug 16: Kashmir is well known for some of the best quality fruits but not many are aware that the grapes produced in Repora village of Ganderbal compete are sweet and juicy.
As per experts a great advantage of Repora grapes is that it gets ready when fresh grapes are not available anywhere in the world except Italy.
They said that Repora grapes fetch a good price in the market, Sahibi for Rs 200/Kg and Hussaini for Rs 100/Kg.
The international standard of the best quality is to have berry size of 4-5 grams and Repora grapes have size of 12.5 gms exceeding international standards.
Grapes are cultivated on about 60 hectares of land in Repora Lar village which makes thousands of people better manage their livelihood conditions and hundreds of young people earn good money during the harvesting season that begins now.
According to local farmers, grapes here are known not only in the valley but for their sweetness throughout the country.
A grower Abdul Rehman said he works very hard to increase the farming but sometimes they suffer huge losses due to different diseases.
Another farmer Ab Hameed said besides Italy, Repora area is perhaps the only place in the world where fresh Grapes are available in a large quantity.
It is said by locals that Ganderbal started producing grapes when Maharaja Hari Singh brought it from Afghanistan to India.
They said Maharaja used to grow grapes on his land in Repora which is with the horticulture department today.
Lar block of District Ganderbal is known for the rich production of grapes.
Hundreds of kanals of land in repora, Watlar and other adjoining areas of Lar block are utilized to cultivate different varieties of grapes which include Sahibi, Kishmish, Hussieni, Thomsan and many more.
The largest production is recorded at Mode vineyard,Kralbagh in Lar block which has been established by the Horticulture department. About 202 hectares of land is under the grapes production in this yard with an annual production of 1285 metric tonnes.
The Horticulture department sublets the entire yard to contractors for cultivation every year and receives a bid amount.
