Kiwi Cultivation in India: Benefits and Varieties

Table of Contents

• An Introduction to Kiwi Farming in India 
• The Cultivation Process of Kiwi Fruit in India   
  • Soil and Climate Requirements
  • Land Preparation
  • Propagation
  • Planting Method
  • Irrigation Management
  • Fertilization
  • Pruning and Training
  • Pollination Management
  • Pests and Disease Management
  • Harvesting and Yield
• What are the Popular Varieties of Kiwi Cultivated in India?
• What are the Benefits/Uses of Kiwi Fruit?
• Conclusion

An Introduction to Kiwi Farming in India

Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), also known as Chinese gooseberry, is a native fruit from China. It is a unique fruit with a brown fuzzy exterior and green juicy interior with tiny black seeds. It is rich in nutrients and is very beneficial for health. It has also grown in other countries, such as New Zealand, Italy, the USA, and Japan. In India, it is widely grown in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand which are also the major kiwi producing states of India. The total kiwi production in India in 2023-24 was 17.31 thousand metric tonnes as per National Horticulture Board (NHB). Let’s have a look at the cultivation process of kiwi in detail.

The Cultivation Process of Kiwi Fruit in India 

Soil and Climate Requirements

A deep, well-drained sandy loam soil is ideal for kiwi cultivation. It should have a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, providing sufficient moisture and organic matter. Heavy clay soil with poor drainage is not suitable for the cultivation of kiwifruit. It can be grown in areas where temperature remains at or below 7°C during the winter season. A rainfall of about 150 cm/year is sufficient.

Land Preparation

The first and foremost step in the cultivation of kiwis is the proper land preparation. The steep land is contoured into terraces for planting vines. Aligning the roots in the north-south direction to obtain proper sunlight is important. Proper ploughing and levelling with tractors are necessary before starting the plantation process of kiwifruit. You can choose the top brands of tractors, like Mahindra, Swaraj, etc., from Tractorkarvan.

Propagation

Kiwi can be propagated vegetatively as it is a dioecious plant. Cutting and grafting are some of the methods of propagation that are used. The most common propagation method is hardwood cutting of winter pruning. The node cuttings are taken for commercial seedling production. Then, the seeds can be used for rootstock grafting.

Planting Method

The best kiwi season in India is January. The kiwis should be planted in rows with equal spacing for proper growth and development. As per the variety of the fruit, the spacing pattern differs. Usually, T-bar and pergola systems are adopted for planting. In the T-bar, a spacing of 4 m from row to row and 5-6 m from plant to plant is common, whereas in the pergola system, a spacing of 6 m from row to row should be maintained.

Irrigation Management

Proper irrigation facilities are very important in the Kiwi plant. Irrigation at 10-15 days intervals is sufficient. Drip irrigation is the most common method used in the kiwi orchards to give water to the plant directly.

Fertilization

It is recommended that the right number of fertilizers be applied to the kiwi fruit crop. A 20 kg manure and 0.5% NPK mixture should be applied every year.

Pruning and Training

Two prunings are needed for the kiwi cultivation. In the month of Dec-Jan, at the 5-6 node stage, which is essential for the flowering and another in July for the vegetative growth. Training is essential to maintain a well-formed framework of main branches and fruiting arms. T-bar training is the most common type of training performed in kiwi cultivation in which a spacing of 4 m from row to row and 5-6 m from plant to plant is common.

Pollination Management

The kiwi fruit plants are dioecious, meaning they are either male or female. The male plant pollenized the female, and the female plant bore the fruit. One male pollenizer is required to be planted for each 6-8 female vines. Pollination is difficult in this fruit; thus, it results in smaller yields. That’s why hand pollination is performed, which involves manually collecting pollen from the male flowers and transferring it to the female flowers.

Pests and Disease Management

Aphids, mites and scale insects are the most common pests. To protect kiwi plants from pests and diseases, always use proper spacing methods and remove weeds before planting. Regular monitoring is essential to protect them.

Harvesting and Yield

Proper care is very important when it comes to harvesting kiwis. Kiwi vines start bearing at the age of 4-5 years. It should be plucked gently as it is so soft and can be destroyed in transportation. They lose their firmness in two weeks and become edible. On average, the fruit yield varies from 50-100 kg/vine. Vines on trellis produce about 25 t/ha after 7 years.

What are the Popular Varieties of Kiwi Cultivated in India?

The most common varieties of kiwi cultivated in India are:

• Abbott
• Allison
• Bruno
• Hayward
• Monty
• Tomuri
• Matua

What are the Benefits/Uses of Kiwi Fruit?

Apart from its taste, Kiwi fruit has many health benefits. Some of them are discussed below:

• Kiwi is rich in Vitamin C and other dietary fibres. Thus, it is good for the heart, immunity and digestive health.
• The presence of antioxidants and vitamins in kiwi are helpful in treating asthma.
• Adding kiwi to your diet will make your skin youthful and hydrated, so it is also good for your skin.
• It is a rich source of sugar, which mainly consists of glucose and levulose, as well as several minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.
• It can be eaten fresh, dry, frozen, canned, converted into juices or purees, used for wine and liquor production, etc.
• It also has a proteolytic enzyme that has meat tenderizer properties.
• It can be stored and preserved for months, so it is favourable for hill growers.

Conclusion

The rise of exotic fruits in India is increasing with time. Kiwi is one of the exotic fruits that have high nutritive value and a unique flavour, and it has the potential to be a significant fruit crop in the future. So, kiwi farming is a profitable venture for farmers and growers if it is done by proper planning and management.