Pune Farmer Inspires Urban Citizens By Transforming Terrace Into Grape Farm

A farmer from Urli Kanchan village in Maharashtra's Pune district has transformed the terrace of his house into a little grape farm to encourage urban residents. Bahusaheb Kanchan, a farmer, told ANI that he was inspired after visiting Europe in 2013 and seeing people in the country cultivating grapes and other fruits on their terraces. 

Bhausaheb stated that in 2015, he purchased five vines of grapes from the ICAR National Research Centre for Grapes in Pune that were recognized as Manjeri Medika varieties of grapes, which are primarily used to create medicine from the fruit's seed. 

In succeeding years, he established his kitchen garden. The vines reach a height of 30 feet and cover an area of 1100 square feet on the rooftop. 

"Scientists have also come here and stated that they will research the quality of the fruit," he added. 

"Farmers and people frequently visit and are amazed how grapes can be produced in the terrace in such large quantities," Bhausaheb said. "I wanted to send out a message to people living in urban areas that they all have possibilities to do anything in the agricultural field; they can utilize their terrace and can start producing grapes," he added. 

"If I can grow grapes on my terrace, others can do the same and make the greatest use of spare spaces," he continued.  

About Grape Cultivation: 

The grape crop is a deciduous woody vine belonging to the flowering plant genus vitis. The plant is a perennial bush featuring helices – tendrils and trails.

Grape is a vine – a climbing plant. The tendrils, which are degenerated inflorescences, grow on stems. Grape cultivation or farming is one of the most lucrative and profitable farming in India. In the harvest of grapes, dry canes are removed which is called "Growth Pruning".