The vibrant green slices specked with little black seeds have always worked wonders in sprucing up desserts and fruit bowls. Kiwi is no ordinary fruit, both in terms of the way it looks as well as its nutritional content. It is a sight for the eyes and the refreshing flavour makes it a favoured choice among fruits. Placed under the category of exotic fruits, kiwi often features as a topping in pavlovas or in fruit bowls, salads and smoothies. Very rarely it is cooked; in desserts especially, it is used fresh as an enzyme present in it tends to break down milk proteins rather quickly, interfering with the final texture of the dish.
It has been valued for its medicinal properties since ancient times. Said to be Chinese in origin, ironically, along the course of history, it came to be known as the national fruit of New Zealand instead and was reintroduced to the world as ‘kiwi’ rather than its old monikers – yang tao and Chinese gooseberry. Apparently, it found its way to New Zealand via the missionaries, and gained such popularity in the country that it started being cultivated commercially and was marketed as ‘kiwi’ (bearing close resemblance to their national bird). The Europeans and the Americans too dipped in to its popularity, as they readily started using it in their cereals, desserts and other food items.
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre launched Senapati Producers’ Organization of Organic Kiwifruit (SPOOOK) at Purul Akutpa Village, Senapati district, Manipur. Shri R. D. Peter, President (SPOOOK) briefed the vision, mission and functions of the newly formed organization. More than 60 members of SPOOOK have participated in the programme.
Dr. N. Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya, in his inaugural address congratulated the organic kiwifruit growers for forming the association and briefed about the ICAR activities in promotion of kiwifruit cultivation in Manipur. He also unveiled the logo of SPOOOK during the inaugural function.
Shri K. Debdutta Sharma, CEO, Manipur Organic Mission Agency, Guest of Honour, assured the kiwifruit growers to provide all technical support for obtaining organic certificate under PGS Organic Certification Programme.
