More than 600 years ago, Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) is believed to have praised Repora in central Kashmir with the words, “Dachi Repora, Nazar chay cxopoor”—a reference to the village’s famed grapes and their far-reaching reputation.
Six centuries later, the quiet hamlet in Ganderbal district continues to live up to that legacy, producing unusually large, sweet and crisp grapes in its vineyards and earning Repora the distinction of Kashmir’s “Grape Village”.
Located in the foothills of central Kashmir, around 30 kilometres north of Srinagar, Repora has developed an agricultural identity distinct from the Valley’s traditional dependence on apple orchards and saffron fields. During late summer, the village transforms into a canopy of lush vines carrying heavy clusters of green and red grapes.
Ganderbal is among Jammu and Kashmir’s principal grape-producing districts, with around 206 hectares under grape cultivation. According to official estimates, the district produces nearly 1,500 metric tonnes of grapes annually, with the produce supplied to local markets as well as markets outside J&K.
Sahibi and Hussaini are the principal commercial grape varieties cultivated in the area. Thomson grapes are primarily used for raisin (kishmish) production, while Sahibi is regarded as one of the region’s premium coloured grape varieties.
One of the major advantages of Repora’s grapes, growers say, is their harvesting window. The crop becomes ready at a time when fresh grapes are reportedly unavailable in most parts of the world, except Italy.
According to farmers, grape cultivation has become the backbone of the local economy, with around 90 per cent of Repora’s population associated with the crop.
Abdul Rehman Bhat, a progressive farmer from Repora, told Greater Kashmir that almost every household in the village is involved in grape cultivation.
“Grape cultivation is the major contributor to the livelihood of people here. Grapes are cultivated on over 200 hectares of land in Repora-Lar, which helps hundreds of people earn their livelihood,” Bhat said.
He said the grape harvesting season generally begins in August and continues through September.
Bhat said grape cultivation in the area dates back to the period of Maharaja Hari Singh.
“Maharaja Hari Singh used to grow grapes on his land in Repora, which is now with the Horticulture Department. Hundreds of kanals of land are utilised to cultivate different varieties of grapes, including Sahibi, Hussieni, Thomson and a few others,” he said.
However, growers are concerned that this year’s irregular rainfall could affect production despite expectations of a bumper crop.
For local residents, the story of Repora’s grapes is also deeply intertwined with its spiritual heritage.
Locals attribute the flourishing of grape cultivation to the blessings of the Sufi saint Mir Syed Shah Sadiq Qalandar (RA), who they believe lived in the area.
“This golden blessing, planted by Saint Mir Syed Shah Sadiq Qalandar, is a priceless gem,” Abdul Rahman said while delicately plucking grapes.
Grape growers also point to the exceptional size of the berries produced in Repora. They claim the berries can reach around 14–15 grams, significantly exceeding what they describe as the international benchmark for premium-quality grapes.
“The international standard for the best quality is a berry size of around 4–5 grams, while Repora grapes have a size of about 14–15 grams,” Bhat said.
He recalled that a team of experts had visited the village a few years ago and weighed the grapes.
“They weighed the grapes and one grape weighed 15 grams, which is nowhere seen in any part of the world,” he said.
The grapes also command good prices in local markets.
Farmers say the crop’s natural characteristics have allowed them to reduce their dependence on pesticides. One grower said pesticide applications had been reduced from seven sprays to three, with the long-term objective of moving towards completely organic cultivation.
“It is the blessing of Shah Sahab (RA),” said Ghulam Muhammad, a resident of Repora. “Our Sufi saints have blessed this place with extraordinary grapes. They are not only tastier but also require fewer pesticides.”
The horticulture authorities are now looking to build on Repora’s reputation and expand grape cultivation across the Valley.
Chief Horticulture Officer, Ganderbal, Madan Lal Tak, highlighted the significance of grape production in Repora and its potential to create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
“Repora is an exemplary site for high-quality grape cultivation, which provides employment opportunities for the youth. We plan to further promote grape cultivation and introduce new varieties to enhance production and employment,” he told Greater Kashmir.
As part of a broader effort to expand grape cultivation in Kashmir, the Horticulture Department has established a hi-tech grape propagation facility in Ganderbal under a Chief Minister’s pilot project.
The facility includes a 20-kanal mother block and a modern bower system aimed at producing superior-quality planting material for farmers.
Officials said around 150 grape growers have been identified under the project and funds have already been released.
“The hi-tech facility has been developed on 20 kanals, where mother blocks have been established along with a modern bower system,” Madan Lal, Chief Horticulture Officer, Ganderbal, said.
“It will enable the production of quality planting material that will be supplied to farmers, helping improve grape cultivation in the region,” he said.
Lal said the department had also introduced new grape varieties sourced from Pune and distributed them among growers.
“The objective is to diversify grape cultivation, improve productivity and provide growers with better-quality planting material,” he said.
About The Author
