ZIRO, OCT 1:
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is exploring a two-metric-tonne pilot consignment of Ziro Kiwi to Singapore and Dubai this year, with a preparatory meeting held at the District Secretariat here on Thursday to assess export prospects and strengthen market linkages for local growers.
APEDA Consultant Saurabh Srivastava, Regional Office Guwahati, and Deputy Director, Department of Trade & Commerce Jainy Badu interacted with kiwi growers, cooperative society members and district officials on production capacity, quality standards, marketing arrangements and challenges in taking Ziro Kiwi to international markets.
The meeting was chaired by Assistant Commissioner Radhe Tatung, who highlighted Ziro Valley’s prominence in kiwi cultivation and stressed the need for a structured export model to help farmers access international markets and secure better returns.
Srivastava said the proposed pilot would help assess production capacity, quality requirements, marketing arrangements and existing bottlenecks. He also pointed to improved air connectivity from Guwahati to Dubai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Bangkok as a potential advantage for export logistics.
District Horticulture Officer Hibu Dante said Ziro Kiwi is traditionally cultivated without chemical inputs and has potential for organic certification. He stressed the need for certification and sought handholding and capacity-building programmes to familiarise growers with export procedures and international quality requirements.
Kiwi Growers Cooperative Society Ltd., Ziro chairman Bamin Siiri said around 200 farmers are registered with the society and four major varieties—Allison, Bruno, Monty and Hayward—are cultivated in the valley. He expressed confidence that the proposed two-tonne consignment could be arranged and assured cooperation with APEDA.
Siiri also highlighted the practice of outside buyers purchasing kiwi before maturity, leaving farmers with limited alternatives and sometimes forcing premature sales at unfavourable prices. He called for direct market linkages and greater recognition of the distinct identity of “Ziro Kiwi”, besides early interaction between growers and prospective buyers.
District Agriculture Officer Leegang Ania sought technological and logistical support for post-harvest management, including an automatic grading machine to reduce the labour involved in manual grading and minimise damage to the delicate fruits. She also sought transport subsidies and support for growers beyond the cooperative society.
Badu invited growers to a proposed export-procedure handholding programme in Itanagar in November, to be organised in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata. He said the pilot export could provide growers practical experience and help build capacity for independently managing future exports. He also informed that the State Government was exploring kiwi exports to Southeast Asian markets through the Pangsu Pass route at Nampong.
Trade Development Officer Tai Arun called for priority to be given to Ziro kiwi growers in upcoming training programmes and proposed a specialised packaging programme at Ziro in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging, Kolkata. He stressed the importance of packaging, grading, quality assurance and collective marketing for improving the competitiveness of Ziro Kiwi.
Senior progressive farmer Hage Tara and other growers shared concerns and suggestions regarding market access, post-harvest infrastructure, technical guidance and institutional support.
The visiting APEDA team also inspected a kiwi orchard of a cooperative society member to assess cultivation practices, growing conditions and the physical characteristics of the fruit as part of the preliminary field assessment.
The meeting and field visit marked a step towards improving the export readiness of Ziro kiwi growers and exploring international markets for the district’s horticultural produce.
