Japanese persimmon bears fruit in Kumaon for first time

Nainital: Scientists at Uttarakhand Biotechnology Council, Patwadangar, have achieved the successful fruiting of Japanese persimmon for the first time in Kumaon, raising hopes of a new cash crop for hill farmers. Dr Sumit Purohit, who initiated the project, told TOI that the trial showed Nainital and nearby hill areas had suitable climatic conditions for commercial cultivation of the fruit, much like kiwi and apple farming.He said visits to Himachal Pradesh, where the fruit is sold for Rs 300-400 per kg, helped him understand its market potential and prompted him to buy plants for trial cultivation. “The plant fruiting was successful and now we are certain that this can be cultivated in the region. We are now planning to build an orchard of around 1,000 plants in the same area,” he said.Horticulture experts said persimmon required comparatively less water and could adapt well to temperate conditions in the higher Himalayan regions. Dr Sanjay Kumar, director of the institute, said further research, plantation expansion and farmer training programmes would be initiated to promote commercial cultivation. “If successful on a larger scale, Japanese persimmon could soon become a premium horticulture product associated with Uttarakhand’s hill economy,” he said.Agriculture specialists termed the trial a “game changer” for horticulture in Kumaon. The development comes at a time when hill farmers are looking for profitable alternatives to traditional farming due to migration, declining agricultural returns and changing weather patterns. Experts said high-value exotic fruits could strengthen the rural economy and encourage youth participation in agriculture.