The story
The cool Ziro valley, home of the Apatani people, suits kiwi vines, and farmers there turned kiwi into a cash crop alongside paddy-cum-fish farming. Arunachal Pradesh is India's largest kiwi producer, and the state now runs a Kiwi Mission with model orchards and a Centre of Excellence at Ziro. The Apatani also hold a GI for their handwoven textiles.
In numbers
Arunachal Pradesh is the largest producer of kiwis in India and the second largest producer of large cardamom.
Arunachal Pradesh: State Economy and Industries (IBEF) · 2026The Kiwi Mission 2025-2035 includes model orchards across 13 districts and a Centre of Excellence for kiwi research at Ziro.
Arunachal Pradesh state profile (Invest India) · 2026Arunachal Pradesh Apatani Textile Product was registered as a GI in 2023-24 under application number 808.
Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India) · 2026
GI tag
- Arunachal Pradesh Apatani Textile ProductApplication no. GI Application No. 808Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Kiwi grading, packing and cold-chain transport
- Dried kiwi, jam, juice and wine
- Nursery plants for new orchards
- Farm stays and valley tourism
Problems the cluster faces
- Long, costly transport to big markets
- Short shelf life without cold storage
- Competition from imported kiwi
Businesses to start here
Dehydrated Kiwi Production →Multi-Fruit Juice and Squash Unit →Fruit Bars →Plant Nursery (Fruit / Ornamental) →Cold Room (2 × 10 MT) for Fruit and Vegetables →Homestay (Bed and Breakfast) →Agro-Tourism Farm →