ZIRO, Nov 1: Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar visited the kiwi orchards in Ziro to get a first-hand information of the rapidly  growing kiwi plantations and interact with the kiwi growers of the valley.
In the midst of  the harvesting season of the rich man's fruit 'kiwi' the orchards filled with dangling golden brown kiwis is a sight worth seeing.
The kiwi orchards spread sparsely across a total of 834 hectares contributes highest to the kiwi production in the state. Last year 2575Mt kiwis were produced in Ziro alone.
Accompanying the Chief Secretary, Minister Agriculture and Horticulture etc Er. Tage Taki vouching for area expansion under kiwi cultivation, informed that another 3200 hectares of land can be brought under kiwi cultivation. 
"Although at an  initial glance ,Ziro might look like a small place but on venturing deeper into the hills, there is no dearth of land," he further informed as the Minister led the team to the kiwi gardens at higher altitudes in the hills surrounding Ziro.
Hage Tare, proprietor , Himalayan Kiwi , who has been growing kiwis at higher altitudes shared his trials and tribulations of growing kiwis.  At present from his 8 hectare kiwi orchard he harvests around 8-10 Mt kiwis every year, earning around 10-12 lakhs per annum.
Considering the woes of the farmers pertaining to damage caused by the wind and rains to the plants during pollination and flowering season, the CS assured to look into providing hailstone shed/ net to the farmers.
He also suggested for setting up an integrated kiwi grading center, operated by the Kiwi Growers Society and accessible to all the kiwi growers.
The team also visited the high altitude kiwi garden of Kallung Bida, Kiwi Research Center , Monipolyang,low chilling apple orchards at Supyu and free range poultry farm at Lempia.
Later, Kumar and the Minister interacted with the Self Help Groups ( ArSLM) shortlisted for ANBY and ANKY -2021 at Himalayan Heritage Center, Kasa.
Kumar while emphasizing that the success of these schemes depends upon the performance of the SHGs,  expressed confidence on the womenfolk of Ziro to set a yardstick   for others to follow, specially in Agri- Horti sectors.
Of the 34 SHGs who had applied for beneficiaries under  Atma Nirbhar Bagwani Yojana, 32 have been considered . DIPRO

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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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