India is set to become the first Asian nation to join the Paris-based elite International Organis-ation of Vine and Wine.
India had become the 45th member of OIV in March, but benefits of membership (comprising manufacturers and consumers) could not be realised as the government did not approve it. Now a proposal to approve India’s OIV membership is high on the agenda of the Union Cabinet, which will meet Thursday.
Revealing this, government sources said, “A proposal from the ministry of food processing industries seeking approval of the Union Cabinet for India becoming a member of OIV is listed for Thursday’s meeting, which will be chaired by PM Manmohan Singh.”
On January 19, 2011 the food processing ministry had made a membership request. In March, then Indian ambassador to France Ranjan Mathai formalised India’s entry with the OIV.
According to sources, OIV accepted India’s membership, as the country has shown a spectacular growth of 66 per cent (1998-2008) of area devoted to the cultivation of grapes. India now devotes more than more than 71,000 hectares to wine in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.
Wine sector experts feel India’s medium-sized boutique wineries will benefit a lot from membership. Membership of OIV is based on production volumes.
Turkey will hold OIV’s next annual general assembly later this year and India will be invited as a member.