Karnataka Sets Up Raisin Processing Unit in Vijayapura

Karnataka has established a raisin processing and cold storage unit at Thoravi village in Vijayapura district under the Karnataka Grape and Wine Board. The facility is funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and the State government under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.

Facility Capacity and Processing Features

The unit has a total storage and processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes for raisins, pulses, grains, and other agricultural commodities. It can process four tonnes of raisins per hour, and the processed raisins are packed in 15-kg bags before cold storage.

The facility includes wet and dry processing lines, colour sorting, and automated packing systems. It is partially solar-powered with 250 kW capacity, and the installed solar capacity is planned to rise to 500 kW.

Farmer Access and Regional Coverage

The unit is expected to become fully functional from November 2026 for grape farmers in Vijayapura, Bagalkot, and Belagavi districts. These three districts account for 42,000 hectares of the 47,177 hectares under grape cultivation in Karnataka.

Karnataka produces between 1.5 lakh tonnes and 2 lakh tonnes of raisins annually. The new facility is designed to reduce the need for farmers to send produce to Sangli or Pune in Maharashtra for processing and storage.

Raisin Production in Karnataka

Vijayapura is one of the major grape-growing districts in Karnataka, along with Bagalkot and Belagavi. Raisin processing units are used to dry, sort, pack, and store grapes in processed form for commercial sale.

Cold storage facilities are commonly used in agricultural value chains to preserve produce and regulate supply during periods of low demand.

Important Facts for Exams

• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development was established in 1982 as a development bank for agriculture and rural credit.
• The Rural Infrastructure Development Fund was created in 1995-96 to support rural infrastructure projects in India.
• Karnataka is among the major grape-producing states in India, with Vijayapura as a key cultivation district.
• Automated packing and colour sorting are standard post-harvest technologies used in agri-processing units.