Arunachal Kiwi Mission (Rs 167 crore)
📅 Published 22 May 2026 · May 2026
Arunachal Kiwi Mission (Rs 167 crore)
What: Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (MoDoNER) launched “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh”, a cluster-based kiwi cultivation and value-chain mission with total outlay Rs 167 crore.
Features: Whole-of-government, convergence-led approach; combines MoA&FW, MoRD, MoFPI and other agencies; six integrated post-harvest management hubs; clusters include Ziro Valley (Lower Subansiri), Dirang and Kalaktang (West Kameng).
Targets: Extend shelf life, create 2,000 MT cold-chain capacity, enhance processing and value-addition.
Significance:
Regional development: Diversifies NER agriculture, strengthens farmer incomes and cold-chain infrastructure.
Value chain focus: Emphasis on post-harvest tech, market linkages and export potential.
UPSC relevance: Agriculture & allied sectors, MDoNER initiatives, cold-chain & agri-value chain policy.
Possible Q: Assess the potential of specialty-fruit missions in transforming hill-economies of North-East India.
PRAGATI 2026 — Multinational Military Exercise (Meghalaya)
What: First edition of PRAGATI 2026 (Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region) at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya (20 May–3 June 2026). 12 partner countries: Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and India.
Focus: Counter-terrorism in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, joint planning, tactical drills, intelligence sharing, interoperability.
Significance:
Strategic outreach: Strengthens regional defence cooperation, maritime-land security linkages and India’s role in the Indo-Pacific/IOR.
Capacity building: Sharing tactics for hybrid and asymmetric threats in difficult terrain.
UPSC relevance: Defence diplomacy, regional security architecture, India’s neighbourhood ties.
Possible Q: How do multilateral military exercises contribute to India’s strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific?