1) What was launched and why it matters

Arunachal Pradesh has launched the Kiwi Mission 2025–2035 at Ziro in Lower Subansiri district. The plan is to make the state a leading centre for high-quality organic kiwi, using its natural climate advantage to raise farmer incomes and create a premium fruit brand from the North-East.

2) Why Arunachal is a natural home for kiwi 

• The state has a temperate climate with cool summers and chilly winters, which helps kiwi vines set fruit and develop flavour.
  
• High-altitude valleys with clean air and good sunlight help produce fruit with strong aroma and taste, which is valued by premium buyers.
  
• Fertile soils and plenty of slopes encourage good drainage, which kiwi vines need to avoid root problems.
  
• With proper planning, off-season windows can be targeted so that farmers get better prices when supply is low in other regions.

3) What the mission will build (institutions and skills)

• Model Kiwi Orchards in 13 districts, with Ziro Valley as the central hub to demonstrate good practices to farmers.
  
• A Centre of Excellence on Kiwi at Kardo, which will lead research, training, plant material production, pest and disease management, and post-harvest techniques.
  
• A strong push for scientific farming and organic methods, so the final produce can earn premium rates in domestic and export markets.

4) Benefits for farmers and what to watch carefully

Clear benefits

• Higher value per acre than many traditional crops, if orchards are managed well and fruit is graded carefully.
  
• Hands-on training and quality planting material, which reduce early failures and improve uniform fruit size.
  
• Organic branding and better post-harvest handling (grading, packing, cold-chain) that support higher prices and less wastage.

Points to watch

• Kiwi needs trellising, regular pruning, and careful nutrition; poor training can reduce yields.
  
• Pollination management (including male-female plant ratio and bee activity) is essential for good fruit set.
  
• Cold-chain and market linkages must be ready before big harvests; otherwise prices may fall at peak season.
  
• Small growers should use farmer producer groups for bulk selling and better bargaining power.

5) What will make the mission succeed 

• Nursery strength: Set up reliable nurseries that supply disease-free saplings at the right time.
  
• Seasonal training: A fixed training calendar on pruning, canopy management, irrigation, and pest control so farmers learn by doing.
  
• Post-harvest chain: Local packhouses, grading lines, and cold rooms to keep quality high from farm to market.
  
• Market contracts: Tie-ups with retail chains, hotels, and exporters; help farmers get organic certification to earn premiums.
  
• Finance and cover: Easy credit, crop insurance, and working capital support for small orchards in the first few years when returns are still building.

Prelims Practice (MCQ) — Kiwi Mission

Q1. With reference to Arunachal Pradesh’s Kiwi Mission 2025–2035, consider the following statements:

1. Ziro Valley is the central hub for model orchards under the mission.
   
2. A Centre of Excellence on Kiwi is proposed at Kardo for research, training, and innovation.
   
3. The mission relies mainly on chemical-intensive farming to maximise short-term yields.=
   
4. The state plans to use its temperate climate and high-altitude valleys to build a premium organic kiwi brand.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1, 2 and 4 only
   d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Why: (1) True; (2) True; (3) False — the mission stresses organic practices, not chemical-intensive methods; (4) True — the state will use its climate and altitude to build a high-quality organic kiwi identity.