Arunachal Pradesh agriculture minister Tage Taki on Monday said “the establishment of a Kiwi Research Institute in Lower Subansiri district will make Arunachal the largest producer of organic kiwis in the country by 2023.”
The institute has been established to carry out research and development works on the edible berry.
Addressing a gathering after flagging off a consignment of 6 tonnes of organic kiwis to M/s Prithivi Agro Fresh Pvt Company Ltd, New Delhi from Ziro, the headquarters of Lower Subansiri district, Tagi expressed confidence that the research institute will assist the horticulture department in producing sufficient and quality kiwi saplings for catering to the demands of the farmers.
This was the 5th consignment of organic kiwis to be sent out from Ziro since 2016.
The minister, on the occasion also urged the farmers of the district to go for voluminous production of selective crops that has good market potential.
Taki, who is also the local legislator of Ziro, further promised to provide a transport vehicle and packaging house (for grading and packing) under the agriculture department for benefit of farmers.
Lower Subansiri district agriculture officer Tasso Butung informed that kiwi production in Lower Subansiri district has grown from 60 metric tonnes in 2016 to 102 metric tonnes in 2019.
The founder of M/s Prithivi Agro Fresh Company Ltd who also spoke on the occasion said “the kiwis from Ziro are the sweetest in the market and it has a vast scope in the future.”
She urged the kiwi growers to maintain quality and fruit size and assured to extend all possible assistance in the research and development process.
Among others, Lower Subansiri deputy commissioner in-charge Millo Kojin, superintendent of police Harse Indora and Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture and Livestock Marketing Board chief executive officer Okit Palling also spoke on the occasion.