Kiwi success may push Arunachal for more fruit wine production

After the successful launch of a drink made from kiwi fruits grown in Arunachal Pradesh, experts have suggested that the state government venture into making fruit wine from the various fruits which are abundant in the northeastern state.
Arunachal, which enjoys the distinction of being the largest kiwi producing state in the country, annually produces an average of 30,945.2 MT of apples, 4,720.5 MT of kiwi, 1,76,707 MT citrus and 67,580 MT of pineapples.
According to official data, the state has 18 lakh hectares of land available for horticulture of which only 1.13 lakh hectares have till date been brought under cultivation.

"Fruit wine could be a money spinner for the state. The state government could seriously think about its potential and go for wine manufacturing from various available fruits in the state," said Akalpit Prabhune, director of Pune-based Hill Crest Foods and Beverages Pvt Ltd, who was here on May 6 to launch Arun Kiwi Wine.
The Arunachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing & Processing Board (APHPM&PB) had signed an MoU with the company in December 2013 for producing kiwi wine.
Rhythm Winery, a part of the company, is sourcing over 2.5 tonnes of kiwi from Arunachal for brewing the wine.

According to the terms of the MoU, the revenue from the business would go to APHPM&PB while Rhythm Winery is only a service provider working on a project basis.

The state government has fully funded the project and borne the full cost of Rs 18,84,000 incurred on it.
Prabhune said that kiwi has high aroma and a refreshing flavour. It is of high acidic nature and has sugar levels similar to that of grapes.
"Kiwi has several health benefits as it has a high percentage of anti-oxidants and Vitamin C," he said, adding that fruit wine as a processing industry could produce high end products at low cost.