Mizoram Tour : A State Where Prohibition Actually Works
Wineries debut in dry Mizoram
Source: The Sangai Express / Laishram Shamungou

Champhai, November 22 2010: Although prohibition is being imposed in letter and spirit in Mizoram, the ruling Congress Government has brought about some amendments in its Prohibition Act to allow manufacturing of wine from grapes along with setting up two wineries for the benefit of the farmers.

Interacting with a group of journalists from Manipur during a recent tour, Agriculture Minister of Mizoram H Liensailova explained that the two wineries have been set up after making necessary amendments in the Prohibition Act for the benefits of the farmers who are growing grapes in the State.

Machineries installed at a winery and the bottled wine ready for shipment

The wine to be produced from these two wineries set up by a society of the farmers is not for export but for local consumption, the Minister added.

According to an official source, cultivation of Bangalore Blue, a variety of grape, in Mizoram was reportedly started in Champhai district headquarters and Hnahlan by around 2000 farmers in 2007 .

Although this grape variety is very suitable to the soil of Mizoram, as it cannot be used as table fruit for long, the idea of setting up wineries came about.

Locally known as Zawlaidi, the wine produced from the two wineries was formally commissioned for selling in local market in October this year with positive response from the public.

In connection with manufacturing of the wine that has alcohol content of 14 percent, the manager of the winery at Champhai told the touring journalists that the farmers' society set up the wineries with loan from Mizoram Rural Bank.

The manager further informed that around 200 to 300 cases of Zawlaidi is being produced from his winery and the required grapes are being purchased from the farmers at the rate of Rs 35 per kg.

On marketing of the wine, the manager informed that it is being done by the Government through the Excise Department.

Thirteen vendors have been opened under the Department from where the public can buy Zawlaidi bottles, the manager said, adding that it is the public and more particularly the farmers who are reaping the benefit from setting up of the wineries.

The winery at Champhai has 14 fermentation tanks.

With positive response from the public, the winery is planning to increase its production capacity in near future.

The taxes collected from by the Excise Department from selling the wine is accrued to the Government.