Uttarakhand Pushes Kiwi And Dragon Fruit Farming, Aims To Involve 18,000 Farmers

Uttarakhand is set to make major strides in the cultivation of kiwi and dragon fruit, with the state government preparing to rapidly implement its new Kiwi Policy and Dragon Fruit Scheme. The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call, during the state’s silver jubilee celebrations, to promote high-value fruits like kiwi as the “farming of the future” for the next 25 years of Uttarakhand’s development.

The government aims to involve 18,000 farmers and develop the hill regions as a major fruit belt. Uttarakhand is already the country’s third-largest apple-producing state, and production of other fruits, including citrus varieties, is considered strong. With rising market demand and higher income potential, modern fruits such as kiwi and dragon fruit are being introduced in a systematic manner.

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Horticulture Mission Director MS Pal said both schemes are being widely promoted, with dedicated budgets and instructions issued to district-level officials to assist farmers in setting up orchards.

Key Provisions of the Kiwi Policy

* Applicable in all districts except Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar.

* Rs 894 crore action plan to be executed by 2030-31.

* 70 per cent subsidy on the total cost of Rs 12 lakh per acre for establishing orchards.

* Orchards can be set up on 2 to 100 nali of land.

* Target: 3,500 hectares under kiwi cultivation, involving 17,500 farmers.

* Current production: 382 metric tonnes on 683 hectares.

* Target production: 33,000 metric tonnes.

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Highlights of the Dragon Fruit Farming Scheme

* To be implemented in Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Nainital, Bageshwar, Pauri, Dehradun and Tehri.

* 80 per cent subsidy on the Rs 8 lakh per acre cost of establishing orchards.

* Farmers must have 5 to 20 nali of land to participate.

* Rs 15 crore allocated for the next three years.

* Current production: 70 metric tonnes on 35 acres.

* Scheme target: 228 acres, benefiting 450 farmers.

The government believes both initiatives will significantly boost fruit production, enhance farmers' incomes, and strengthen Uttarakhand’s position as a leading horticulture hub.