Chinyere Anyanwu

Talk about agribusiness generating jobs, wealth and meeting healthy lifestyle needs, and the cultivation of grapes will resonate. Grapes, which are also known botanically as berries, are fruits that have received great acceptance by majority of people, even in Nigeria. Aside their health values, grapes have great economic potential when cultivated on a commercial level. Countries that farm grapes on a large scale include China, France, America, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and South Africa, among others. Grapes farming can be done anywhere in the world but they grow best in hot climatic conditions. Grape trees can last for as long as 50 years or more.

In the past, growing grape in Nigeria was an arduous task but following several years of research and experiment, it can now be successfully cultivated in any part of the country by the use of hybrid seedlings and new growing technique. There is, therefore, need for agribusiness enthusiasts in the country to venture into grape farming to exploit all it has to offer to them and the economy, especially as the fruit also has export potential, which will boost foreign exchange generation for Nigeria.

Health benefits of grape

Grape is packed with a lot of important nutrients including minerals, vitamins and substances needed by the body for optimum performance. Regular consumption of grapes prevents and treats series of diseases.

Apart from the fruit of the grape plant, the seeds are also beneficial for health as they help reduce swelling and prevent eye diseases caused by diabetes. Grape seed extract has a high antioxidant content. Grapes are a great source of phytonutrients, and contain other important vitamins such as vitamins K, A, C, and B6. They are also rich in thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folate, and contain minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and sodium. Grapes contain dietary fibre, antioxidants, and a moderate amount of protein.

Grapes increase the nitric oxide levels in the blood, which prevents blood clots. Therefore, grapes are an effective way to reduce the chances of heart attacks. Grapes are a wonderful source of micro-nutrients like copper, iron and manganese, all of which are important in the formation and strength of the bones. Regular intake of grapes can prevent the onset of age-related conditions like osteoporosis.

Grapes aid healthy vision and also prevent anaemia. The dietary fibre contained in green grapes helps in lowering cholesterol and may possibly get rid of it.

The fruit can stop certain cancers and prevent cold while strengthening the immune system. It keeps nerves healthy and improves brain function, maintains skin health and hair improvement. Grapes are good for stopping Alzheimer,  Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease and also relieves the body of inflammation and over stress.

Varieties of grape: There are many varieties, which are grouped into two with each having its own characteristics. They are table grapes, which are used for meals preparation. For instance, they are used in producing sweeteners used in cake making. And wine grapes used in the production of wine.

Among the varieties is the Vitis viniferia (European or French grape), which is the most widely cultivated variety. It does well in warm dry weather. Grapes come in various flavours, textures, sizes and colours such as black, yellow, green, pink, crimson, dark blue and orange. There are more than 1,000 cultivars for grape farming all over the world but the most common are Concord, Sweet jubilee, Crimson seedless, Champagne, among others. The choice of which variety to plant depends on what is best suited for any particular region.

Attraction for grape farming: It is a very lucrative venture, which will guarantee continued reaping of the dividends for a long time. Grape farming is not labour intensive and as such, can be managed; it requires less water and manure to thrive; it is highly loved by many people who will buy it no matter the cost. With proper planting, grapes will produce fruits without stress; a little space like a plot or acre is enough to enrich anyone in grape farming business.

Cultivation: Clear the land and loosen the soil in preparation for grapes cultivation. The ground should be levelled to attain uniformity. Although grapes can be grown in any soil type, the best soil to attain optimum growth is well drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter.

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The simplest way to propagate grape is from wood cuttings. Other methods are budding, bud layering, seeds and grafting. Grapes seed propagation will take three to four years to fruit. In grape farming, the planting season is September to October for the rooted cuttings while February to March is best for root stock. Before starting grapes farming, make provision for stakes that grapes’ vines can be trellised upon; this will reduce the risk of disease attack. Soak the young grapes’ roots in water for two to three hours before planting.

Spacing varies depending on the type of soil used and the variety. Muscadine requires much spacing; use 2m-3m for vines and 1.0m-1.5m between rows. For others, use 2m-1.5m, 3m-1.5m and 2.75-1.5m so more can be planted, like 5,000 seedlings a hectare. Dig a hole of 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide, trim any broken roots, set the vine into the hole and fill it up with the top soil. Rectangular system of planting should be used for commercial grape farming.

Irrigation: There is no need to irrigate grape plant during rainfall. They can withstand harsh conditions. However, if the amount of rainfall drops below 500mm for a year, the plants have to be irrigated. Grapes need about 900mm of rainfall to grow well.

Pest/disease: The pests and diseases that threaten grape farming are beetle powdery, mildew, black rot, red spider mite, thrips, flea beetles, leaf hoppers and mealy bug. Use Bordeaux mixture with cow dung and neem oil, water, etc. Use mesh net to keep birds away from budding fruits because they like feeding on them.

Fertilisation: Grape growing can be done completely with organic manure. Don’t fertilise in the first year, slightly fertilise in the second year. And in the third year, use between 50kg and 60kg manure per hectare. Potassium should be highest, followed by nitrogen and then phosphorus.

Fruiting/pruning: During fruit ripening, the weather must be sunny and a dry warm temperature (environment). This is vital for increasing its sugar content while also reducing its acidity. Fruits should not be allowed in the grapevine during the first year because their weight can damage the young vines. Cut back all the fruits and vines, leave the strongest branching of the cane. Prune about 90 per cent of the new growth on the older vines the following year. Ensure to maintain the pruning of grapevine every year; if not, they will bleed their sap and lose vigour. Also prune the vines when they are dormant.

Harvest: Grape doesn’t have specific time for harvest; it can be harvested anytime of the year, depending on when planted. Grapes will not continue to ripen after being picked from the vines. Colour and size are not a yardstick for grape ripeness. Touch to see if you like it before harvesting. But they should be ready for harvest when they are rich in colour, juicy, full flavour and easy to crush.

Eat some of the fruits to know if they are okay for harvest. The taste should be between sweet and tart. If grapes are not ripening, pinch back some of the foliage to let in more sunlight. Harvest is done by repeated pickings; it can be done twice a year.

Yield: The yield depends on the variety and agronomy practice; it could be 30 tonnes or 50 tonnes per hectare. Use cartons, cardboard boxes to package the grapes; separate each bunch with sawdust. Pack the grapes 4kg per box and consistently check for spoilage.

Marketing: Grapes have ready markets; the number of people that eat the fruit raw is high. Sell to wine industries that are increasing in number across the world. Supply to supermarkets, big shops, and roadside food vendors. It can be exported to neighbouring countries.

Profitability: Grape farming is one of the quickest money-making cash crops. One kg of grapes can go for N700 or more and a tree can produce 25kg. 700×25 = N17,500. With an acre of grapevines of 400 stands, one can be raking in  N7,000,000 (N17,500×400). Even if it is a plot of 66 stands, one will have N1,155,000. This income is certain year in year out for many years in grape farming.

With additional materials from Eni Best Agro & Business Blog