The strategy involves increasing the area under cultivation and producing quality grapes. The state has already set up a leaf analysis lab at a cost of Rs one crore for bringing out improved varieties.

According to horticulture department sources, the state is set to expand the grape growing area by another 1000 acres. Presently grapes are grown in area of about 2500 hectares spread across the state, which stands first in production volumes, the sources added.

The department has entered into a long term agreement with National Chemical Laboratories for importing special chemicals to test and identify quality leaf for improving the quality of the produce.

The department has also made elaborate plans to improve the quality yield per acre from 12 tonnes to 30 tonnes during the current fiscal. The following schemes have been adopted.

Sustaining the quality awareness by conducting trainingprogrammes with Apeda, IAHR; nassisting farmers by leaf lab testing at a minimal cost; * encouraging farmers to go for quality yield to earn more revenue; andn life of vanyard to be extended with new soil conservation process.The department has also taken an initiative to enhance state's growth by allowing farmers to direct marketing through Rythu bazars, grape-on-wheels and packaged to branded grapes, which would prompt farmers to increase their production capacity.

The department has fulfiled the long pending demand of farmers by setting up the state-of-the-art leaf analysis lab at an investment of Rs one crore in the city.

The department also plans such labs in other places to enable farmers for easy accessibility. Nearly 50 per cent of the farmers have turned for quality production, have started realising rich profits.

It has also helped farmers by minimising middlemen role; allowing farmers themselves to organise; individuals have been permitted to sell abroad directly. The hectare yield ofrevenue has shoot up Rupees one lakh, the sources said.

The department also working with farmers to produce the grapes during lean season like September and October. Scope to improve flame, kismit churni and black beauty is being given top priority, the sources said.

Last year Andhra Pradesh alone exported nearly 315 tonnes to Middle-east, Singapore and European countries. With the higher production of good quality grapes the domestic demand has grown rapidly, which ultimately brought down the export quantity to 115 tonnes during this year.

According to sources, for the first time in Andhra Pradesh, a grower/exporter Satyanarayana has exported 15 tonnes of grapes to Mark & Spencer and Sainsburry of the UK in April with the 100 per cent profit margin. More individuals have been encouraged for direct export as the quality conscious has improved vast, the sources said.