Context: Recently, the ‘Wild’ Arunachal Kiwi has received organic certification by the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North East Region.

About Arunachal Kiwi

• The kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa Chev.) is a deciduous fruiting vine native to Yangtze River valley of south and central China.
• In Arunachal Pradesh, a domesticated variety of kiwi was introduced as a commercial fruit only in 2000.
• The Ziro Valley specifically located at 1,500-2,000 metres above sea level is the most ideal for kiwi.
• It is also called “China’s miracle fruit” and “Horticulture wonder of New Zealand”.

Benefits of certification

• Certification helps producers and handlers; they receive premium prices for the products and have access to fast-growing, local, regional and international markets.

Organic certification in India

• An agricultural practise/product is considered organic when there are no chemical fertilizers or pesticides involved in its cultivation process.
• Such certifications in India can be obtained after a strict scientific assessment done by the regulatory body, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).