Itanagar, May 20: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday participated in the launch and foundation-laying ceremony of the Kiwi Project aimed at strengthening kiwi cultivation and allied infrastructure in the state.
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| Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu participates in a virtual programme during the launch of the Kiwi Project aimed at boosting kiwi cultivation, processing and market linkages in Arunachal Pradesh on May 20, 2026. (Image: X/PemaKhanduBJP) |
The project was launched along with Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia and has been projected as a major initiative highlighting kiwi as a unique agricultural identity and USP of Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Scindia said the foundation stone for a very important project had been laid jointly with Chief Minister Pema Khandu in Arunachal Pradesh. He noted that the state has immense potential in kiwi production, producing around 7,000 metric tonnes annually, which accounts for nearly 50 per cent of India’s total kiwi production from a single state.
Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh is currently the largest kiwi-producing state in the country and added that the initiative would provide a major boost to the horticulture sector through orchard rejuvenation, varietal replacement and expansion of kiwi cultivation across suitable regions of the state.
The Chief Minister said the project would also address critical gaps in post-harvest management by strengthening infrastructure related to storage, value addition, food processing and market linkages for farmers.
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Officials said the initiative is expected to improve productivity, increase farmer income and create better marketing opportunities for kiwi growers in Arunachal Pradesh. The project also aims to modernise cultivation practices and encourage sustainable horticulture development in the northeastern state.
Khandu congratulated kiwi growers of Arunachal Pradesh and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he described as a focused approach towards sector-wise development in the northeastern region.
Kiwi cultivation has emerged as one of the important horticultural sectors in Arunachal Pradesh over the past decade, with districts such as Ziro, Lower Subansiri, West Kameng and Tawang becoming key production centres. The fruit has increasingly contributed to the state’s agricultural economy and farmer livelihoods.
The government expects the new project to further strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s position as India’s leading kiwi-producing state while improving long-term support systems for farmers and growers.
