Agri-Horti Minister Tage Taki while flagging off a Delhi-bound consignment of kiwifruit on Monday expressed confidence that Arunachal Pradesh will emerge as the largest producer of this much-sought-after fruit in the country within 2023. While theoretically the target is very much attainable, it needs mentioning that the factor of constant support and tutelage to the growers by the concerned government departments will be a major element in the vision’s realisation. To throw a solid challenge to the competing states, the state government must shoulder an extra load of responsibilities at least five years down the line. With an assurance of this kind coming, the state’s growers will feel confident and give more than 100% and success stories generated thereby will serve as perfect examples for the entire agri-horti industry of the state.

India has been a rather late realiser of the overwhelming health benefits of kiwifruit and as such its mass popularity was not visible until the Covid pandemic broke out. With the vaccine still elusive and quite a number of drugs meant for clinical treatment as well as the highly-fancied plasma therapy facing question marks in terms of efficacy, there's no way left but to strengthen one’s immunity. Consuming fruits in sufficient quantities is being invariably suggested by doctors and among the countless, kiwi has become a major subject of discussion overnight. It’s an extraordinary fruit if discussed in the light of its positive effects on health. There is a deep-rooted belief that Vitamin C, the most medically-trusted immunity builder is found in highest levels in lemons and oranges alone and influenced by this theory, people run after them all throughout the year, caring little for prices. But a comparative assessment of these fruits with kiwi will bring out the astounding fact that the latter actually contains more Vit-C and a 100 gram of it contain 154 %, almost twice found in lemons and oranges and more than enough a human body needs in terms of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fibres. Combined with a host of other Vitamins and minerals, it’s an answer to various respiratory ailments and an elixir for sustenance of sound general health.

Arunachal must grab the opportunity as there is already a huge gap in demand and supply of kiwi, which will only grow with the pandemic-determined general health consciousness becoming important. Nature-gifted advantages like climate and soil are pre-existent. Only the drawbacks such as proper training of growers keeping in mind the delicate technicalities of the fruit’s farming, storage and marketing, all required in combination to taste commercial success need to be taken care of fast.

For the state’s agri-horti industry, kiwi can be a game-changer. The opportunity shouldn’t be wasted.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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