Jairam Ramesh launches Grapenet Software - To provide complete traceability for Grape Exports

Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Commerce, launched here today, a new web-based software "GrapeNet" that will provide traceability regarding the table grapes exported from India to European Union (EU). The software developed by APEDA will help in raising the confidence of the importers by enabling monitoring of pesticide residue and by achieving product standardization and thus boost grape exports to EU.

The software works on the regulations of tracing back to the origin of the produce in the reverse order from shelf to farm at the click of a mouse at one’s computer. "Now, the importers, export regulation authorities abroad and in the country, in fact, anyone who will be using this software will be able to access the information at one’s convenience at their tables about any grape export transaction", Shri Ramesh said.

By clicking the phytosanitary No. or Agmark No. one can reach directly to the certificate issuing authorities thereafter one can reach at the inspection reports to laboratory analysis, certificate of residue analysis and the pack house details, which are available in detail instantly. The software is designed to reach at the root of any grape export transaction.

Traceability has helped 40,000 grape farmers to come together and apply uniform farming practices. There is complete accountability in the system and farmers have earned 40% more value for their grapes. Export value has grown from 8 Euro to 11.5 Euro for a pack of 5 kg in 06-07.

The success achieved in implementing the residue monitoring system and IT based traceability procedure has enabled all stakeholders in India and importers & supermarkets in the EU to develop considerable confidence in Indian grapes with a result that export of table grapes from India has doubled during the last three years. The present level of exports (2005-06) is of the order of about 40 million Euros. About 55,000 MT of grapes were exported in 2005-06 out of a total production of around 1.5 million tones. 80% of exports were from Maharashtra alone.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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