Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Nagaland is taking a major step forward in its horticultural development by partnering with New Zealand to establish a Centre of Excellence for kiwifruit in Pfutsero. Minister for Women Resource and Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, met with an 11 member delegation to discuss the project, which aims to position the state as the primary kiwi producer in India.
The international team includes six scientists and technical experts from New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute, alongside representatives from the New Zealand Embassy and India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Their immediate priority is installing a state of the art weather station at the Pfutsero site. This facility will provide real time data on soil, water, and climate conditions to enable precision farming techniques that maximize crop yields.
Beyond technical infrastructure, the visiting team is conducting surveys and meeting with local farmers to evaluate current cultivation methods. These insights will help identify specific strategies to improve fruit quality and overall productivity. The initiative also looks toward long term growth, with Minister Kruse suggesting future exchange programs where local farmers can visit New Zealand for hands on training.
This collaboration reflects Nagaland's broader goal of using science backed horticulture to improve livelihoods for its agricultural community. As the first facility of its kind in India, the centre marks a significant milestone in international cooperation for the state.
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