Arunachal Launches Mission to Brand Organic Kiwi for Global Markets, Backs Farmers with End-to-End Support

Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday launched Mission “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh”, an ambitious initiative to build a globally competitive organic kiwi ecosystem and significantly raise farmer incomes across the state’s key horticulture belt.

With an outlay of approximately ₹167 crore, Mission on Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh has been designed through a whole of government, convergence led approach anchored by MDoNER and woven together with the schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, along with NABARD, ICAR-CITH, APEDA, NERAMAC and committed private investors.

The mission, unveiled under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with guidance from Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, aims to intervene across the entire kiwi value chain from scientific cultivation and post harvest handling to branding, certification, exports, and agri tourism integration.

Arunachal Pradesh is currently India’s largest kiwi-producing state, accounting for more than 50% of national output. The bulk of cultivation is concentrated in the temperate zones of Lower Subansiri, West Kameng, Shi Yomi, and Dibang Valley districts, where altitude, climate, and soil conditions favor high quality organic produce.

The mission will address these gaps through a convergence based approach involving central ministries, state departments, farmer producer organisations, research institutions, and private players.

Key components of the mission include expansion of high-density kiwi orchards, establishment of pack houses and pre-cooling units, GI tagging and organic certification support, development of “Arunachal Organic Kiwi” as a unified brand, and creation of dedicated export channels. The plan also envisages leveraging agri tourism circuits in Ziro, Dirang, and Menchuka to promote kiwi orchards as part of the state’s sustainable tourism portfolio.

“From the orchards of Lower Subansiri, West Kameng, Shi Yomi and Dibang Valley to shelves in international markets, ‘Arunachal Organic Kiwi’ is set to become a proud global brand representing quality, sustainability and the strength of our farming communities,” Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said during the launch.

He added that the mission aligns with the Centre’s focus on promoting the Northeast as a hub for organic and high value horticulture under the Act East Policy.

Mein extended thanks to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, partner institutions, FPOs, entrepreneurs, and farmers for their role in shaping the initiative.

With the rising global demand for organic kiwi, particularly in the Middle East, Southeast Asia & Europe and India still a net importer of kiwi, Arunachal’s push for export grade production could also support import substitution while opening new revenue streams for growers.

The mission will be implemented in phases, with pilot clusters identified in Ziro valley and Dirang this year. If successful, the model is expected to be replicated for other temperate fruits like apple, orange, and large cardamom.