Focus on Kiwi, Improve Transport and Logistics: CAIRA’s Export Strategy for Arunachal

To boost the agri-export potential of Arunachal Pradesh—especially for organic and high-value crops like kiwi—the Centre for Agri Infrastructure Research and Action (CAIRA), an initiative of The Infravision Foundation, has recommended significant upgrades to infrastructure and logistics. These include improving roads, cargo handling terminals, and rail connectivity. The recommendations were presented at the International Conclave cum Buyer-Seller Meet, jointly organised by APEDA and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

For non-perishable items of importance, CAIRA recommended identifying transportation routes to major export centres and creating primary processing facilities within the state at a few locations where produce can be aggregated. It also stressed the need to invest in pre-cooling infrastructure and reefer vans to maintain the cold chain for non-perishable produce. These measures, it said, could help farmers in Arunachal Pradesh secure better prices for their organic produce.

Siraj Hussain, Chairman of the Governing Council, CAIRA, presented a preliminary analysis of the kiwi supply chain in Arunachal. Despite rising kiwi imports in India, the state's domestic production has stagnated. The analysis found that kiwi yields in Arunachal are significantly lower than those in Meghalaya.

To address this, CAIRA recommended equipping packhouses with modern sorting, grading, and temperature-control systems. It also advocated for organic branding, which could fetch a 15 per cent premium on prices. Estimates suggest that farmers in Arunachal lose 10 per cent of fruit value due to poor post-harvest handling.

Hussain also acknowledged a key intervention by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), which, in collaboration with the state government, constructed godowns in remote locations to reduce logistical costs and improve food grain storage. He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state maintained a six-month stock of food grains—a result of timely infrastructure investment.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who attended the event, reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthening Arunachal’s agricultural and allied sectors. He highlighted the export potential of GI-tagged produce such as Khamti Rice, Mandarin Oranges, Kiwi, and Yak Cheese, particularly to Southeast Asian and ASEAN countries. Acknowledging the cold storage gap due to high energy requirements, he proposed leveraging the state’s immense hydropower potential to bridge this gap and enhance agri-export readiness.

Minister of Agriculture Gabriel Denwang Wangsu emphasised the need to build farmer capacity and market awareness to secure better prices for high-quality produce like kiwi, apples, and value-added products.

APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev stressed the importance of identifying Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) from the state for participation in trade fairs and market outreach initiatives. He assured close collaboration between APEDA and the state government to support infrastructure development, capacity building, branding, and promotion of Arunachal’s agriculture and value-added products.

Chief Secretary Manish Gupta and several senior officials from the central and state governments also attended the event, underscoring the collective commitment to strengthening Arunachal Pradesh’s agricultural ecosystem.

The International Conclave cum Buyer-Seller Meet facilitated direct interactions between 11 international buyers from three countries—UAE, Nepal, and Bhutan—and 17 Indian exporters from seven states and Union Territories including Assam, Maharashtra, Delhi, Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat, and West Bengal. These exporters also engaged with over 50 FPOs and more than 350 farmers from Arunachal Pradesh to understand the quality, availability, and volume of local agri-produce.