Scindia Launches Arunachal Organic Kiwi Mission
₹167 crore mission aims to transform Arunachal into global organic kiwi hub
- Jyotiraditya Scindia launches Arunachal Kiwi Mission
- ₹167 crore initiative to strengthen kiwi value chain and exports
- Mission targets branding, cold-chain and farmer income growth
- Arunachal Kiwi to be promoted under Brand North East vision
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th May: Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, on Wednesday launched the Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh” aimed at developing a globally competitive organic kiwi ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh.
The launch event was attended by Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta and Sanjay Jaju.
The mission, with an outlay of nearly ₹167 crore, has been designed through a convergence-led approach involving multiple ministries, institutions and private stakeholders.
Officials said the initiative aims to strengthen the entire kiwi value chain through plantation development, cold-chain infrastructure, branding, processing, exports and agri-tourism.
The project adopts a cluster-based strategy with six integrated post-harvest management hubs planned across Ziro Valley, Dirang, Kalaktang, Shi Yomi and Dibang Valley.
Scindia said the mission aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Viksit North East” and focuses on ensuring that farmers become stakeholders across the entire agricultural value chain.
The minister said the government has identified one unique product from each northeastern state under the broader “Brand North East” initiative.
He cited examples including Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya, ginger from Mizoram, coffee from Nagaland and organic farming from Sikkim.
Scindia said Arunachal Pradesh contributes more than 50 per cent of India’s kiwi production with annual output exceeding 7,000 metric tonnes, but farmers still face low price realisation and post-harvest losses.
He added that the mission seeks to reduce distress sales, strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations and create nearly 2,000 metric tonnes of cold-chain capacity.
The initiative also aims to restore Arunachal Pradesh’s lapsed organic certification and improve traceability through QR-enabled packaging systems.
The minister said the government plans to position “Arunachal Organic Kiwi” in international markets by leveraging the state’s November-January harvest window, which coincides with New Zealand’s off-season.
He added that the mission would also promote farm tourism and orchard-based experiential tourism in regions such as Ziro Valley and Dirang.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the initiative marks a major milestone in Arunachal Pradesh’s agricultural transformation and would help improve farmer incomes while providing a sustainable alternative to shifting cultivation practices.
He assured time-bound implementation of the mission in coordination with the state’s Arunachal Pradesh Kiwi Mission 2025–35.
Officials said the project is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, generate rural livelihoods and increase value capture for kiwi farmers across the state.
