Miraj, a historic city which is renowned for its exquisite music instruments. Once a part of the princely state of Patwardhan, it has nurtured numerous legendary classical musicians. With a well-connected network of roads, a bustling railway junction, and top-notch hospitals, Miraj ensures convenience and accessibility for its residents. Situated a mere ten kilometers away from the vibrant Sangli city, Miraj offers the perfect blend of cultural heritage and modern amenities as Miraj town has prominent history in ancient trades because it was a popular marketplace in Maratha era.
Raisin is one of the important commodity in sangli and also the majoir producer of raisin in india.
Tasgaon – Sangli belt in maharashatra is renowned for its mouth watering raisins which accounts for entire 90 percent of the total raisin production in the entire country! Not only that, but Maharashtra also takes the lead in grape production, exporting over 1.22 lakh tonnes every year. It’s truly a fruitful state!
A good climate is also responsible for delectable rasiins for its production. In addition Sangli district is truly fortunate to receive abundant rainfall during the monsoon season. The region boasts of fertile black soil that is enriched with essential nutrients like potash and phosphate. Additionally, the district benefits from the water supply from the Warana and Krishna rivers. While the summers are hot and dry, the winters are pleasantly mild. When it comes to raisin production, Sangli district takes the lead with its main centers including Tasgaon, Miraj, Palus, Kadegaon, Atpadi, Malgaon, Kavathe-Mahankal, Jath, and Agalgaon.
The Sangli district is home to more than 60,000 acres of grape cultivation, specifically dedicated to producing delicious raisins. To ensure the best quality, seedless grape varieties such as Thompson seedless, Manikchaman, Sonaka, and Tas-A-Ganesh are carefully chosen. Each variety brings its own unique characteristics, from the round and golden Thompson seedless to the long and green Manikchaman. These grapes not only differ in appearance but also in aroma, taste, shape, size, pulpiness, and even hardness or softness. The quality of the raisins ultimately depends on the size, color, weight, taste, and flavor of the grapes themselves. To achieve excellent quality raisins, it is crucial to follow scientific and accurate grape cultivation practices. The grapes should only be removed when they are fully ripe and have reached the appropriate TSS (Total Soluble Solids) level. This typically occurs after 4 to 5 months, from mid-February until the first week of April, when the brix level reaches 20-25 percent. Harvesting the grapes too early can result in increased acidity and excessive shrinkage of the raisins. So, it’s essential to wait for the perfect moment to ensure the best raisins possible.
Sangli raisins are renowned for their consistent size, texture, and color, as well as their extended shelf life, juiceness, and sweetness. These raisins possess a thin peel, a soft texture with minimal wrinkles, and a lustrous appearance. The uniform golden green color is a clear indication of the superior quality of each individual raisin. Not only are Sangli raisins a delight to the senses, but they also offer medicinal and curative properties. Packed with potassium and magnesium, they help reduce blood toxicity, lower insulin levels, and improve sugar absorption. Furthermore, they aid in regulating the hormones leptin and ghrelin, while also containing traces of boron, an essential element for enhancing bone strength.
Sangli has approx annual production of 1.25 lakh tones 30 – 40 percent is exported. Tasgaon is emerge as a big market in raisin started in 1994 now has 100 trading centres with 60-70 cold storages and still growing