Kiwi farmers in Kullu seek help for better marketing of products

Kullu, Oct 28 (ANI): Kiwi growers in Himachal Pradesh want the Central Government to help them develop a proper marketing network for their fruit.

Kiwi also known as Chinese gooseberry, is gaining popularity among farmers of the region, but due to the lack of proper marketing network they are unable to fetch good returns for their yield.armers urged that the government must take adequate steps to popularise this fruit.

"We request the government to take adequate steps for the marketing of Kiwi fruit...the apple of the region is quite popular all across the country but this is not the case with Kiwi so the government must take steps to popularise this fruit," said Nakul Khullar, a Kiwi Farmer.

The farmers allege that the government has not cared to streamline the marketing network.

But, an official of the Horticulture department said that the government is taking proper steps besides providing other facilities to Kiwi growers.

"For the promotion of Kiwi fruit we are providing a loan facility to farmers...besides this our department is also providing subsidies on water storage tanks, drip irrigation, water irrigation, and sprinkler irrigation," said Prem Singh Dogra, District Horticulture Officer.

Ever since it was imported from New Zealand over two decades ago, many farmers diversified into cultivating Kiwi.

This fruit having brown peel containing green flesh is mainly cultivated in Kullu, Shimla, Solan, Mandi and Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh.

A native to China, Kiwi possess immense medicinal values and is an ideal breakfast time fruit since it contains more fibre and ample sugar, of low calorie value.

Despite its phenomenal nutritional value, this fruit is losing out on demand for various reasons.

Kiwi fruit has been labelled as the best source of vitamin C, which can have wonderful health benefits. (ANI)