For years, grape growers in northern Karnataka faced a costly dilemma: truck their harvest hundreds of kilometers to processing plants in Maharashtra or pay steep fees at private local units. That burden is about to lift.

Come November, a new raisin processing and cold storage facility will open in Thoravi village, Vijayapura—a project funded by NABARD and the Karnataka government, established by the Karnataka Grape and Wine Board. Farmers in Vijayapura, Bagalkot, and Belagavi districts can finally process and store their raisins close to home.

Key facts

  • Funded by NABARD and the State government under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund
  • Capacity: 10,000 tonnes for processing and storage
  • Processes 4 tonnes of raisins per hour
  • Stores raisins alongside pulses, grains, and other agricultural commodities
  • Solar panels installed (250kW, expanding to 500kW) for power backup

From Long Hauls to Local Ease

Previously, farmers had to transport their produce to Sangli or Pune in Maharashtra—a journey that ate into profits and added logistical headaches. Private units in the region charged between ₹700 and ₹800 per tonne per month for storage. The government facility plans to undercut those rates by ₹50 to ₹100, though exact pricing is still being finalized.

Mune Gowda N., Managing Director of the Karnataka Grape and Wine Board, emphasized the unit’s broader impact: “The unit ensures farmers a good price whenever there is demand, instead of forcing them to sell at whatever price they get in the market.”

Powering Progress with Solar Backups

Cold storage is electricity-intensive, and power disruptions can spoil stored goods. To tackle this, the board has installed 250kW solar panels on the rooftop, with plans to expand to 500kW in the coming months. “In case of power disruption for one hour, solar power will support the unit,” Mr. Gowda noted.

Looking Ahead: Labs and Exports

The board isn’t stopping here. It has submitted a detailed project report to the State government proposing a residue testing lab, an e-auction unit, and an export facility—all within the same complex. These additions could further elevate local farmers’ access to quality checks and broader markets.

Karnataka produces 1.5 to 2 lakh tonnes of raisins annually, with 42,000 of the state’s 47,177 hectares of grape cultivation concentrated in these three districts. This facility is more than infrastructure; it’s a lifeline.