The information is expected to support precision farming practices and help improve kiwifruit productivity across Nagaland
KRC TIMES NE Desk
Dimapur : The Nagaland government has moved a step closer to establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for kiwifruit cultivation at Pfutsero in Phek district, following a high-level meeting with an 11-member delegation comprising experts from New Zealand and officials from New Delhi.
The meeting, chaired by Nagaland’s Minister for Water Resources Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, was held in Kohima on May 31 and focused on key components of the proposed project, including the installation of a modern weather monitoring system at the CoE site.
Officials said the weather station, the first such facility to be established under the state’s Horticulture Department, will provide real-time data on weather conditions, soil health and water availability. The information is expected to support precision farming practices and help improve kiwifruit productivity across Nagaland.
As part of the initiative, scientists from the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) will undertake preliminary surveys for the proposed centre and engage with kiwifruit growers in different parts of the state. The exercise will assess existing cultivation practices and identify measures to enhance yield, fruit quality and overall farm efficiency.
During the discussions, Kruse thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the New Zealand delegation for their support in advancing the project. She also proposed farmer exchange programmes that would enable growers from Nagaland to visit New Zealand and receive practical training in advanced kiwifruit cultivation and orchard management techniques.
The meeting was attended by Nagaland Commissioner and Secretary for Horticulture Akumla Chuba, along with senior departmental officials.
The visiting delegation included six technical experts and scientists from BSI, representatives of the New Zealand Embassy, and an official from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The proposed Centre of Excellence is expected to play a key role in strengthening Nagaland’s horticulture sector by introducing modern technologies, research-based farming practices and international expertise to support the state’s growing kiwifruit industry.
