India–New Zealand Hold First Joint Working Group Meeting, Advance Kiwifruit Action Plan Under Horticulture Cooperation
20 February 2026, New Delhi: India and New Zealand convened the first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on horticultural cooperation, marking an important milestone under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between the two countries on March 12, 2025.
The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary (Horticulture), Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), in person from the Indian side, and Mr. Steve Ainsworth, Divisional Manager, Bilateral Relations and Trade, who joined virtually from New Zealand. Senior officials and technical experts from both nations participated, focusing on strengthening collaboration in the horticulture sector, particularly in kiwifruit and pip fruits such as apple and pear.
Shri Priya Ranjan highlighted that kiwifruit has been identified as a priority crop for India and outlined key focus areas under the Kiwifruit Action Plan. These include the establishment of Centres of Excellence, improved orchard management and productivity enhancement, access to quality rootstock and planting material, and strengthening post-harvest management and supply chains. The meeting also discussed procedures for importing kiwifruit rootstock from New Zealand and organizing training programmes in New Zealand for Indian farmers and entrepreneurs.
Mr. Steve Ainsworth reviewed the current status and challenges related to kiwifruit, apple, and pear production in India. He emphasized the need for collaborative research, capacity building, and grower training, along with strengthening supply chains, quality standards, and market positioning to enhance productivity and improve farmer incomes.
The meeting concluded with the finalization of timelines and an implementation roadmap for both action plans. In their closing remarks, officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening horticultural cooperation. The JWG identified immediate next steps and proposed a schedule for follow-up meetings and reviews to maintain momentum in the India–New Zealand partnership in horticulture.
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