A five-member Indian delegation, including two representatives from Nagaland Meyasashi, Director of Horticulture, and S. Senka, Joint Director, Horticulture Nagaland visited New Zealand from 12th to 15th February 2025.

The visit was organized by the New Zealand Embassy in Delhi as part of the roadmap and strategy for the development of the kiwifruit industry in India, in collaboration with Zespri International Limited, New Zealand. Over the course of four days, the delegation engaged in extensive discussions with key stakeholders in Auckland, New Zealand, including the Consul General of India, the India-New Zealand Business Council, scientists from Plant & Food Research and the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre, the CEO and officials of Zespri International Ltd., and Māori kiwifruit growers.

The team also visited multiple kiwifruit orchards, export packhouses, and kiwifruit nurseries to gain insights into best practices in cultivation, post-harvest management, and export procedures on kiwifruit.

Nagaland, being the second-largest kiwifruit producing state in India, stands to benefit significantly from International collaborations, especially with New Zealand, the world’s leading producer and exporter of Kiwifruit. With initiatives undertaken by both the Central and State Governments to foster global cooperation in the kiwifruit industry, the exchange of expertise and advanced techniques is expected to enhance kiwifruit cultivation across the country, driving economic growth and improving the livelihoods of farmers particularly in the states like Nagaland.

(DIPR)