Low chilling variety of apple introduced in Arunachal district

ITANAGAR: The first batch of HRMN-99, a low chilling variety of apple saplings was distributed to the beneficiaries of Ziro in Lower Subansiri district by Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Tage Taki during a training programme.

The training is being organized by Ziro Valley Charity Mission Society on the cultivation, practices and management of the HRMN -99 variety of apple at Abulya in the district.

The pilot project which is being launched for the first time in the State is being funded by North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS), a society of North Eastern Council under the DoNER Ministry.

The project would be implemented in 14 acres of land through 18 beneficiaries, official sources informed.

Expressing gratitude to the DoNER Ministry, Taki said that such encouragement from the Ministry to the farmers would boost their morale and motivate them to venture into sustainable farming.

"Earlier apples were very prominently grown in Ziro, but due to the short fall in chilling requirements those varieties could not be continued. But now with the introduction of low chilling apple variety, apple production in Ziro will flourish again," the minister said and exhorted the farmers to make maximum benefit of the training.

Speaking about making Ziro self sufficient in vegetables, Taki added that Ziro being bestowed with favourable agro-climatic condition for growing many off season crops, could be a savior during crisis. "This potential should be explored by the farming community in collaboration with the agriculture and horticulture departments," he stressed.

The Minister further suggested for cluster farming since land holdings in Ziro is very less per individual.

In the technical session that followed, Horticulture Development Officer Tasso Yallu dwelt in length about the cultivation practices of low chilling apple variety.

District Horticulture Officer Komri Murtem, District Agriculture Officer Tasso Buttung, Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer Leegang Aniya and range forest officer Nyilang Tachang also attended the programme, the sources added.

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