Himachal Pradesh, known for its wide variety of fruit produce, could soon have competition from the faraway state of Sikkim. The former princely state in the northeast is foraying into cultivation of not only exotic items kiwifruit, but also more common varieties like apples, pears, pomegranate, almonds and walnuts.

“Introducing and cultivating kiwifruit and strawberry in this state is one of our success stories,” Dr Ashish Yadav, senior scientist at Indian Council for Agricultural Research’s regional centre, here said. “Given the soil and climatic conditions, there is vast potential for kiwifruit cultivation in Sikkim as also in other areas of the northeast India,” he added.

A stillness pervades the 300-acre farm in Banpuri village. The farmer and his family have locked up and left to make a living elsewhere.

Israel has decided to open three ‘Centres of Excellence’ in the field of agriculture in Karnataka. The country also plans to open its second consulate in India, in Bangalore by October to attract tourists, especially from South India.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the Consul General for Israel in India, Orna Sagiv said the country was now targeting three major sectors in Karnataka – IT, agriculture and food processing.

Dehradun: Hatal, a small village in the Tiyuni area of Uttarakhand, has witnessed a quiet revolution over the last decade. A group of progressive farmers have succeeded in growing high-quality pomegranates in this area which had no history of growing the fruit. Pomegranates are mostly grown in western and southern India due to the favourable climatic conditions.