Researchers at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, have made a notable discovery by identifying a wild kiwi species, Actinidia callosa var strigilosa, capable of thriving in the extreme cold conditions of high altitudes. Found in the Lachen region of Sikkim, this species can potentially extend kiwi cultivation to elevations up to 2,800 meters, surpassing the current range of 800 to 1,500 meters.
The research, led by PhD candidate Abhilash Pradhan and mentored by Dr. Dinesh Singh Thakur of the Regional Horticulture Research and Training Center, Mashobra, aims at preserving the germplasm of this near-extinct species for further study. The identification of this kiwi variant was confirmed by Dr. Kumar Ambrish from the High Altitude Western Himalayan Regional Center of the Botanical Survey of India, Nauni.
The initiative could lead to the development of cold-resistant kiwi varieties, offering new agricultural opportunities to farmers in northeastern India and other high-altitude areas. Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Research Director at Nauni University, emphasized the potential of this discovery to enhance the horticulture industry in cold climates, akin to the apple farming revolution in Himachal Pradesh.
This advancement in kiwi farming represents a significant step towards agricultural diversification and economic growth in mountainous regions, providing a new crop option for farmers in these areas.
Source: HIMACHAL HEADLINES