Himachal Bets on Kiwi Expertise of New Zealand to Revive Apple Economy, But Will It Deliver?
Shimla, September 30 – Himachal Pradesh is looking across the oceans for answers to its apple crisis. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held talks with New Zealand High Commissioner Patrick John Rata and his team, pitching for collaboration in apple and pear and kiwi cultivation.
Sukhu admitted that the state’s fruit economy is under stress and said New Zealand’s advanced know-how in high-density plantations, orchard management, pest control, storage, and marketing could be a game-changer for Himachal’s apple growers.
“We want to improve productivity, adopt sustainable and climate-resilient practices, and ensure global competitiveness of our produce,” he said.
The CM pointed to steps like the universal carton system—introduced to ensure better prices—but stressed that real transformation would only come with technology transfer and farmer training.
Experts from New Zealand Apple and Pears Inc. (NZAPI) and Applied Research and Technologies were present, indicating serious intent from the Kiwi side.
But the big question remains: will foreign expertise actually trickle down to the state’s struggling growers?
Many farmers complain that government reforms often stay limited to paperwork and elite consultations, while the average orchardist is left grappling with rising costs, erratic weather, and declining yields.
Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, along with senior horticulture officials including Secretary C. Paularasu, Director Vinay Singh, and Secretary to CM Rakesh Kanwar, attended the meeting, besides Kiwi delegates led by High Commissioner Patrick John Rata.
The government insists that the partnership could usher in a “new era” of apple and pear farming.
Experts however, point out that much will depend on robust ground-level support, subsidies, and climate adaptation strategies as even best foreign models may flop in Himachal’s unique mountain conditions.
For now, Sukhu’s New Zealand outreach is being seen as a bold move—but one that farmers will judge not by promises, but by the profits in their orchards.
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