Arunachal Govt launches project for low-chilling apple cultivation

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Horticulture Minister Tage Taki, on Friday, distributed saplings of the low-chilling apple variety (HRMN-99) to farmers during a programme at Ziro in Lower Subansiri district.

The Ziro Valley Charity Mission Society had organised a training programme on low-chilling apple cultivation and management funded by the North-Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society under the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER).

As per a report by the Arunachal Times, they will plant the saplings in 14 acres of land through 188 beneficiaries.

“Such encouragement from the ministry (DoNER) to the farmers will boost their morale and motivate them to venture into sustainable farming,” Horticulture Minister Tage Taki said.

“Earlier, apples were prominently grown in Ziro, but because of the shortfall in chilling requirements, they could not continue those varieties. But with the introduction of the low-chilling apple variety, apple production in Ziro will flourish again,” he said.

Taki also stated that Ziro’s climate is favourable for many off-season crops and vegetables.

Meanwhile, Horticulture Development Officer Tasso Yallu instructed the beneficiaries on how to cultivate the low-chilling apple variety.

(Edited by Gabriel G Momin)