In Pictures: The Rain Ravaged Vineyards of Maharashtra

Take a look at the rain-ravaged crop in Maharashtra’s grape-growing belt.

The unseasonal rainfall that began at the end of February and continued well into March has devastated crops around the country.

The grape-growers of north-western Maharashtra have been among the worst affected.

According to Rohit Pandhare, an agro-businessman from the region, the damage could be as high as 30% of the total crop.

Grape stalks wrapped in newspaper for protection. (Photo Courtesy: Rohit Pandhare)

Usually, the Vineyards of Nashik could be mistaken for the Mediterranean. You could sip a glass of wine, and take in the scenery. But this year, the unseasonal spring rain has brought on a winter of discontent for grape growers.

A vineyard ravaged by rain and hail. (Photo Courtesy: Rohit Pandhare)

Nashik has over 1.5 lakh acres cultivating grapes and with another 50 thousand acres under cultivation in neighboring Sangli, the rain could affect the lives of hundreds of farmers.

Grapes can handle the odd shower, but under the continuous fury of the rain and hail their skin cracks open, and they become susceptible to fungus.

Grapes covered in hailstones. This causes the skin of the grape to crack, and fungus to grow at a rapid rate. (Photo Courtesy: Rohit Pandhare)

Before the downpour, grapes were being sold at Rs 55-60/kg. Now, the farmers are lucky if they get Rs 10/kg for the rain damaged crop.

Most of these farmers have small holdings - anywhere between a half to 5 acres. A loss of this magnitude can be truly devastating. Some farmers may take two years or more to recover.

A farmer in Nashik, helpless as stares at his crop and his effort destroyed by hailstorms. (Photo Courtesy: Rohit Pandhare)