Farmer becomes prosperous with Kiwi farming, providing employment to many others

Bhawan Singh Korang, a farmer from the Shama village of Uttarakhand, has cultivated Kiwi fruit, traditionally grown in China and New Zealand. He has established the Himalayan Kiwi brand and is also selling Kiwi jam in the market. Making a good living for himself, Korang has also encouraged many others to take up Kiwi farming.

Bageshwar: Stories of mass migration in the absence of basic facilities and opportunities are common in Uttarakhand, but, this is the story of a farmer, who not only strengthened his financial health by Kiwi farming, but also provided employment to many others.

Kiwi fruit, traditionally grown in China and New Zealand is being cultivated in the Shama village of the Bageshwar district. A farmer from the district has established Himalayan Kiwi brand, and is selling Kiwi jam in the market which has been liked by all. Bhawan Singh Korang has earned 10 lakh rupees by Kiwi farming and has also provided employment to many others.

Hard work put in by Bhawan Singh Korang, a farmer from the Shama village of the district has borne fruits now. After retiring from the post of a principal he thought of Kiwi farming. He got soil tested for the same and then on two hectare land sowed Kiwi seeds. The Kiwi seeds sowed in this village, which is at a height of 2200 meters have started bearing fruits now.

In the initial stages, the production was limited to 20-25 quintals, but this year the production touched 75 quintals. Bhawan Singh tells that, he sowed the Hewald, Bruno, Alison and Monty variety of Kiwi. Following his footsteps, many other farmers have taken up Kiwi farming. As a result, this year Kiwi cultivation on about 5 hectare land in the village has produced about 175 quintals of Kiwi.

Kiwi is also called the Chineese Gooseberry. Its scientific name is Actinedia Delisiosa. The fruit was first produced in China. After which its farming was started in many countries including New Zealand. In India, Himachal Pradesh has Kiwi farms on large scale. The soil and air of Uttarakhand has also been found to be sustainable for Kiwi farming.

Bhawan Singh tells that he has earned 10 lakh rupees this year by Kiwi farming. He has encouraged many others to take up Kiwi farming. He also thanked the Horticulture department. Now a brand, Himalayan Kiwi fruit is selling Kiwi jam. For this they ave established a cottage industry. The jam priced at 250 rupees in the market is being liked by many.

On the other hand, Kiwi farming has provided employment to village folks who are engaged in the production process. Appreciating the efforts of the farmers, district magistrate, Ranjana Rajguru says that Kiwi farming is a good opportunity to generate self livelihood in the state. This is a good sign for the Horticulture and Agriculture department. Other farmers from the area should also take up Kiwi farming and see him as an inspiration.