Amazon Quiz: Which state is the largest producer of Kiwi in India accounting for 56%?

Tamil Nadu

Arunachal Pradesh

Goa

Kerala

Answer: Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro Valley saw kiwis growing in the wild many years ago, but it was only in the past decade that farmers realized their value, leading to certified organic kiwis – the only ones to be found in India. 

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) awards the certification. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted in October 2020, “Happy to share the news that #Arunachal is first in the country to obtain #OrganicCertification for #Kiwi under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER). Hearty congrats to farmers of Lower Subansiri district for achieving the feat”. 

Gyati Loder, Kiwi farmer and General Secretary, Kiwi Growers’ Cooperative Society Ltd, Ziro, noted how their markets were filled with kiwis from other parts of the world, but they didn’t realize the fruit was growing in their own backyard. 

Kiwi is known as the “miracle fruit” of China and originated there, but New Zealand made the most commercial use of it. 

Loder spoke to the Indian Express about growing the fruit in Arunachal Pradesh, saying, “Our land is fertile, has suitable agro-climatic conditions and the Ziro Valley specifically is located at 1,500-2,000 metres above sea level — this is most ideal for kiwi”, and added, “It was slow initially but a few big companies showed interest and that helped us reach a wider market.”