Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today chaired the 70th meeting of the Board of Directors of Jammu and Kashmir Agro Industries Development Corporation Limited (JKAIDCL) at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu.

The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, Managing Director JKAIDCL, Directors of Agriculture and Horticulture Jammu and Kashmir besides representatives of the concerned departments.

The Managing Director presented a review of the Corporation’s performance for 2023–24.

The Board approved three major projects for 2026–27, including establishment of an Aloe vera processing and value addition unit at Samba and construction of modern warehouses at Bari Brahmana and Khunmoh. Besides, collaboration between JKAIDCL and the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments for setting up and optimal utilisation of Centres of Excellence and allied infrastructure was also given a nod.

The Minister directed for expeditious completion of the ongoing infrastructure projects. He stressed the need for optimal utilisation of warehouses, cold chains and controlled atmosphere storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses. He called for stronger convergence with the line departments to make Centres of Excellence fully functional and outcome-oriented. He emphasised promotion of value addition, processing and agri-based entrepreneurship to enhance farmers’ income and strengthen the agri-economy of Jammu and Kashmir.