Nagaland has slowly built a name for itself in kiwi cultivation; what began as a trial crop in the hills has today become one of the state’s most promising high-value fruits.
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Nagaland has slowly built a name for itself in kiwi cultivation. What began as a trial crop in the hills has today become one of the state’s most promising high-value fruits. The recent visit of a New Zealand delegation to Nagaland has therefore come at the right time, opening the door to cooperation with the country that leads the world in the kiwi fruit business.
Welcoming the delegation, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio spoke briefly about Nagaland’s favourable climate and hill conditions, and stressed the need to learn from New Zealand’s experience in modern farming and marketing. His remarks highlighted an important point: Nagaland must now move beyond growing kiwi and focus on improving quality, income, and market reach.
Nagaland already produces a significant quantity of kiwi compared to other Indian states. However, many farmers still struggle with uneven yields and limited profits. The main reason is not the soil or climate, but the lack of scientific orchard management and post-harvest facilities.
New Zealand’s success lies in careful planning—proper pruning, good pollination, disease control, and the use of suitable varieties. If these methods are shared with Nagaland farmers through training programmes and demonstration orchards, productivity and fruit quality can improve greatly.
One of the biggest problems faced by kiwi growers in Nagaland is what happens after harvest. Without cold storage and grading facilities, fruits spoil quickly or are sold at low prices. During interactions with the visiting delegation, the importance of better post-harvest systems was clearly acknowledged.
New Zealand’s expertise in cold storage, sorting, and packing can help Nagaland reduce losses. Small processing units for dried kiwi, juice, or pulp could also create local jobs and provide farmers with more stable income.
Chief Minister Rio also pointed out the importance of marketing. New Zealand has shown the world how a fruit can become a global brand through quality control and collective marketing. Kiwi from New Zealand is trusted because it meets strict standards.
Nagaland can follow this example by developing a common identity for its produce, such as a “Nagaland Highland Kiwi.” With proper branding, Nagaland’s kiwi can reach premium markets in Indian cities and even nearby international markets.
Climate change is already affecting hill agriculture. New Zealand has developed farming methods that protect soil, use water wisely, and reduce chemical use. These practices are especially suitable for Nagaland’s fragile hill slopes and can help make kiwi farming more sustainable in the long run.
The visit of the New Zealand delegation is also important from a wider perspective. It shows growing confidence in Nagaland’s agricultural potential. As the Chief Minister noted, such partnerships can help raise farmer incomes, attract young people to farming, and place Nagaland on the map as a specialised horticulture state.
For this partnership to succeed, it must focus on farmers. Small landholdings, poor connectivity, and price fluctuations are real challenges. Cooperative farming, cluster development, and assured market links will be key solutions.
The engagement with New Zealand offers Nagaland a valuable chance to turn kiwi farming into a strong and sustainable livelihood option. If handled wisely, this partnership can help transform the state’s hills into centres of quality production, better incomes, and long-term growth.
Mathew Rongmei