Reported by Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: The Centre on Wednesday launched a Rs 167 crore mission to develop a comprehensive organic kiwi value chain in Arunachal Pradesh, aiming to boost farmers’ incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, and position the northeastern state as a major player in global kiwi markets.
The mission, titled “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh”, was launched by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and senior officials from the Centre and the state government.
Designed through a convergence model involving multiple ministries and agencies, the mission seeks to transform Arunachal from a kiwi-producing region dependent on distress sales into a premium organic kiwi economy with stronger domestic and export market access.
The initiative includes the creation of six integrated post-harvest management hubs across major kiwi-growing regions, including Ziro Valley in Lower Subansiri district; Dirang and Kalaktang in West Kameng; and Shi Yomi and Dibang Valley.
Officials said the project would focus on cold-chain infrastructure, processing, branding, traceability, plantation development, and agri-tourism while addressing major gaps in the kiwi value chain.
Arunachal Pradesh currently contributes more than 50 per cent of India’s kiwi production, producing over 7,000 metric tonnes annually. However, officials said growers often receive low prices because of weak storage facilities and limited market integration.
According to the Ministry of DoNER, kiwi farmers currently receive between ?20 and ?40 per kilogram for lower-grade produce and around ?120 per kilogram for Grade A fruit, while imported kiwi varieties command significantly higher prices in Indian markets.
Scindia said the mission was part of the Centre’s broader “Brand North East” strategy, under which one unique product from each northeastern state is being promoted for national and international markets.
“Today, with the launch of Project Kiwi in Arunachal Pradesh, we are taking another major step in building globally competitive value chains rooted in the strengths of the North East,” he said.
The minister said the project aims to create 2,000 metric tonnes of cold-chain capacity, improve value addition, strengthen farmer producer organisations (FPOs), promote kiwi-based start-ups, and increase exports by 2028.
The mission also seeks to restore Arunachal Pradesh’s lapsed organic certification under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and leverage the state’s November-to-January harvest season, which coincides with the off-season in New Zealand — one of the world’s largest kiwi exporters.
Officials said this could help Arunachal target premium markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The project additionally plans to promote orchard tourism and farm-stay experiences in kiwi-growing regions such as Ziro Valley and Dirang as part of a larger agri-tourism push.
Chief Minister Khandu described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening farmer livelihoods and promoting sustainable horticulture in the state. He said kiwi cultivation had emerged as an important alternative to shifting cultivation in Arunachal’s high-altitude regions.
The state government said the mission would be integrated with its long-term Arunachal Pradesh Kiwi Mission 2025–35 programme.