Mumbai: Maharashtra government is looking at a proposal to use sapota (chickoo) fruits for wine making to help farmers reduce post harvest losses and generate higher returns for them.

"In a bid to offer a helping hand to the farmers cultivating sapota, particularly those from Palghar and Dahanu tehsils in Thane district, the state government is considering using this fruit for wine-making," Maharashtra Minister of State for Tribal Development and Horticulture Rajendra Gavit told reporters here.