Srinagar, Sep 21: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department Javid Ahmad Dar on Sunday inaugurated a buyer-seller meet organised by the Department of Horticulture Planning & Marketing, J&K, at SKICC here.

Held under the theme “Transforming Horticulture Marketing in Jammu & Kashmir,” the event showcased the department’s initiatives to strengthen market infrastructure, improve post-harvest management and expand market opportunities for horticulture growers.
The Minister inspected stalls displaying horticulture produce, products, technologies and marketing initiatives and interacted with farmers, growers, traders, buyers and other stakeholders. He sought their feedback on marketing facilities, post-harvest management, market linkages and challenges confronting the sector.
Dar stressed the need for efficient, transparent and farmer-centric marketing mechanisms to ensure better returns to growers. He called for coordinated efforts to strengthen the entire horticulture value chain, from production and post-harvest handling to marketing and final market access.
He also emphasised value addition, modern market facilities, scientific post-harvest management and stronger buyer-seller linkages, besides measures to reduce post-harvest losses and improve storage and handling facilities.
The Minister said horticulture remains a key pillar of J&K’s rural economy and provides livelihoods to a large section of the population. He called for sustained interventions to expand remunerative markets and improve the competitiveness of local produce.
The buyer-seller meet provided a platform for direct interaction among growers, traders, buyers and market functionaries to explore business opportunities, exchange experiences and identify measures to improve the marketing ecosystem.
The department also presented its achievements and ongoing initiatives aimed at modernising horticulture marketing infrastructure and promoting technology-driven, market-oriented and farmer-centric practices.
Dar urged all stakeholders to work in close coordination so that improved marketing infrastructure translates into higher incomes and greater economic opportunities for growers across Jammu and Kashmir.
Several legislators, including Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Nizamuddin Bhat, Hilal Akbar Lone, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Sheikh Khursheed, Reyaz Ahmad Khan, Irshad Rasool Kar and Irfan Hafiz Lone, besides senior officers of concerned departments, attended the event.