Currently there are several kiwifruit cultivars belonging to Actinidiadeliciosa and Actinidia chinensis that have great genetic variation and are available for research and cultivation purposes.  This natural variation may be reflected in their differences in growth and adaptation to different environmental conditions.  In addition to other characteristic the genotypes belonging to these two groups are mostly separated vertically along the altitude with A. deliciosa usually adapted to higher and colder altitude at 800 to 1400 m and sometimes up to 1950 meters above sea level (MASL).  Contrarily,   A. chinensis mostly occurs at lower altitude between 200 to 900 MASL,   but can also be found at altitude as high as 1200 MASL.  A.deliciosa generally grows in area with low annual rainfall (600-1600 mm) and low relative humidity (60 to 80%) as compared toA. chinensis species that mostly grow in areas with higher annual rainfall (1000 to 2000 mm) and high relative humidity (75 to 85%).

Plant ecologists agree that the adaptation and distribution of plant species is strongly influenced by climate and in particular temperature and moisture regime. Variation in altitude often causes of changes in climatic factors including temperature, pre­cipitation, light intensity and nature of soil, which make the growing environment of plants more complex. Therefore, taking advantage of the altitudinal variations in the area of lower and upper extremes of Hazara division will provide good opportunities to evaluate the available kiwifruit germplasm/ varieties at NTHRI, for adaptation to different environmental condition. The altitude gradients in these areas vary from 832 MASL in Havelian tehsil of Abbottabad to about 2500 MASL in District Batagram of Hazara Division.  

Agriculture is the main source of income for most of the rural population of Hazara division.  Due to its agro-climatic conditions, Hazara Division has great potential for growing a variety of fruit crops such as apple, peach, pear, apricot, plum, cherries, walnuts and almonds which are high value cash crops. Thus cultivation of fruit occupies an important position in the farming system of the hilly area by enhancing household nutrition and is a major feature of subsistence economy. This farming system of the hilly area of Hazara Division is also most suitable for growing kiwi fruit. As kiwi is a species sensitive to waterlogging, it grows well on sloppy, hilly area where the soil is aerated and has good drainage system.

 NTHRI has been carrying out research and development activities on kiwifruit for the last three years in District Mansehra and has introduced the new fruit on farmer’s field. It is obvious from our last three years’ experience during which we observed that kiwi has vigorous growth and higher survival rate at NTHRI, Shinkiari Mansehra as compared to other low land area of Pakistan. However, we have so far tested only Hayward variety on farmer field in district Mansehra while the other varieties/germplasm also need to be evaluated not only in District Mansehra but also in other districts of Hazara Division before starting their cultivation on commercial basis. The new genotypes/germplasm have been acclimatized and their population has been increased at NTHRI nursery.  Theyhave greater genetic diversity with respect to plant and fruit phenotypes and adaptability to fluctuating environment.Thus NTHRI has great potential for propagating kiwifruit germplasm. However, to evaluate and promote kiwi plant germplasm/varieties in Hazara Division intervention is needed in this sector. The scope of kiwifruit cultivation, the availability of kiwifruit germplasm at NTHRI and the suitability of the agro-environmental condition of district Mansehra justify the evaluation of these germplasm along the lower and higher altitude of Hazara division before, their introduction/promotion on farmers field in the  areas.