CM Dhami Launches Apple-Kiwi Policy and Mahak Kranti in Uttarakhand
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has launched the Apple and Kiwi Policy to scale high-value fruit production and Mahak Kranti to promote aromatic farming, targeting hill farmers with multiple income streams and crop diversification across the state's hilly districts.
Key Takeaways
Apple and Kiwi Policy launched by the Uttarakhand government to expand production of high-value fruit crops in hill districts.
Mahak Kranti introduced to promote aromatic crop cultivation, targeting essential oil and fragrant plant farming.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced both initiatives, signalling a dual-track approach to agricultural diversification.
The policies target fruit growers and hilly region farmers who depend on rainfed, subsistence agriculture.
Uttarakhand has been part of the central government's National Horticulture Mission since the mid-2000s, providing a policy foundation for these launches.
Specific subsidy structures, nursery targets, and market linkage details are yet to be officially released.
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand, citing Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, announced on Saturday, 20 June 2026 the launch of two agricultural initiatives — an Apple and Kiwi Policy to boost high-value fruit production and Mahak Kranti, a campaign to promote aromatic crop cultivation across the hill state.
Speaking on the twin launches, CM Dhami stated: 'An Apple and Kiwi Policy has been started to promote fruit production in the state. Mahak Kranti has been launched to promote aromatic farming.' The announcements signal a deliberate push by the Uttarakhand government to move hill farmers toward crops that command premium market value and suit the state's agro-climatic conditions.
Context
Uttarakhand's hilly districts have long supported apple orchards, particularly in higher-altitude zones, but cultivation has remained fragmented and subsistence-oriented. The new Apple and Kiwi Policy is designed to provide targeted state support — expected to include nursery development, quality planting material, and market linkage — to scale up production systematically. Kiwi, a relatively newer crop in the region, has shown strong commercial promise in mid-altitude belts of the state.Policy Backdrop
Uttarakhand has been a participant in the central government's National Horticulture Mission since the mid-2000s, which laid the groundwork for fruit and aromatic crop development in Himalayan states. The current state government's dual-track approach — pairing fruit crops with aromatic plants — mirrors a wider national trend of crop diversification aimed at improving farm incomes and building climate resilience. Mahak Kranti targets fragrant plants and essential oil crops, creating an additional revenue stream alongside fruit orchards for small and marginal landholders in the hills.Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries are fruit growers and hilly region farmers across Uttarakhand, many of whom depend on rainfed agriculture with limited income security. Aromatic crop cultivation under Mahak Kranti — covering plants used in essential oils, perfumery, and herbal products — offers relatively low input costs and growing domestic and export demand. Together, the two policies aim to create multiple income streams for the same farming household, reducing dependence on a single crop cycle. Similar approaches in neighbouring Himalayan states have demonstrated measurable gains in per-acre farmer income when supported by robust market linkage and processing infrastructure.What's Next
Detailed provisions, including subsidy structures, nursery development targets, and market linkage arrangements under both the Apple and Kiwi Policy and Mahak Kranti, are expected to be outlined in subsequent releases from the Uttarakhand Agriculture Department or in upcoming state budget documents. The success of both initiatives will hinge on last-mile delivery of planting material, cold-chain infrastructure, and assured procurement or market access for small growers. If implemented effectively, these policies could meaningfully reshape the agricultural economy of Uttarakhand's hill districts over the next several years.Point of View
Climate-suited crops rather than traditional subsistence farming. Pairing fruit horticulture with aromatic cultivation is a diversification strategy that addresses income volatility — a persistent challenge in mountain agriculture. This dual-track model aligns with a broader national push to reduce farm distress through crop mix rather than price support alone. The real test will be whether the state can deliver on market linkage and processing infrastructure, which have historically been the weak links in similar Himalayan state schemes.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apple and Kiwi Policy in Uttarakhand?
The Apple and Kiwi Policy is a new Uttarakhand government initiative launched by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami to promote and expand the production of apple and kiwi fruit in the state's hilly regions through targeted support measures.
What is Mahak Kranti in Uttarakhand?
Mahak Kranti is a state campaign launched by the Uttarakhand government to promote aromatic crop farming, including fragrant plants used in essential oils and herbal products, to diversify farmer incomes in hill districts.
Who announced the Apple and Kiwi Policy and Mahak Kranti?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced both initiatives, with the official announcement made by the Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand on 20 June 2026.
How will Uttarakhand farmers benefit from Mahak Kranti?
Mahak Kranti aims to give hill farmers an additional income stream through aromatic crop cultivation, which has relatively low input costs and growing domestic and export demand for essential oils and fragrant plant products.
What is the background of horticulture policy in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand has been part of the central government's National Horticulture Mission since the mid-2000s, which has supported fruit and aromatic crop development in the state and provided a policy foundation for the new initiatives.
