Minister for Agricultural Production and Rural Development Departments, Javed Ahmad Dar, today reaffirmed government’s unwavering commitment towards promotion of the horticulture sector with emphasis on welfare of fruit traders and growers in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting held with the members of Jammu Fruit Traders Association at Fruit Mandi Narwal.

The meeting had detailed discussion on key issues faced by fruit traders besides exploring measures for strengthening the horticulture sector.

The Minister said that the Horticulture sector is and will remain a priory sector for the government as it plays a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s economy.

He highlighted the significance of the horticulture sector in J&K, stating that around 70 to 80 percent of the region’s population is directly or indirectly associated with this sector. “Thousands of people earn their livelihood through horticulture activities and the government is highly sensitive to the challenges faced by the growers and traders. We are committed towards implementing welfare initiatives that will ensure the sustained growth and prosperity of this vital sector,” emphasised the Minister.

During the meeting, the Minister acknowledged the pressing need for additional storage space for apple produce, especially during the peak season, to support Jammu based traders. Recognizing the genuine concerns of the traders, he directed the concerned authorities to identify a suitable patch of land to address this requirement at the earliest.

A delegation of the Fruit Traders Association, led by its President Parveen Kumar, presented a comprehensive list of issues and demands to the Minister. The issues included extension of existing leases, implementation of stringent quality checks on imported fruits to safeguard the interests of local growers, proper grading facilities for dry fruits particularly walnuts and enhancement of marketing infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of local produce.

The Minister assured the association members that their concerns would be given due consideration, and necessary steps would be taken to address them in a time bound manner.

 He stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the horticulture sector to thrive.

During his visit to the Fruit Mandi, Narwal, the Minister took comprehensive stock of arrangements and facilities available to the traders.

The Minister assured all possible support to fruit growers and traders, ensuring their issues are resolved.

 Among others the meeting was attended by Director Horticulture Jammu, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing besides other senior officers from the department.