Minister for Agriculture Production Department, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, today inaugurated first of its kind Buyer-Seller meet, organized by the Department of Horticulture Planning & Marketing (HP&M) to bridge the gap between the farmers and the market.
The Minister visited the stalls of various FPOs and entrepreneurs and interacted with the participants.
He instructed the Director HP&M for handholding the entrepreneurs, sharing the information of government interventions and schemes with them.
While addressing at the event, the Minister appreciated the department for organizing the first Buyer-Seller meet for promotion and development of horticulture sector. This will facilitate the growers to harvest prolific benefits of their produce in the national market. He emphasized on realization of government’s envisioned goals of the Horticulture Department.
Javid Dar urged the growers to think innovatively and adopt modern production techniques for increasing their yield. He highlighted the significance of diversification of crops and also called for promotion of indigenous varieties of crops.
Regarding the demand for curbing import of spurious fertilizers and pesticides damaging crop production, the Minister assured that a separate enforcement wing shall be created to maintain strict vigil on selling of substandard quality of fertilizers and pesticides in the market.
Javid Dar stated that affirmative action shall be initiated to reform the system and more labs shall be established to check the quality of imported horticulture inputs. He said that all the stakeholders need to remain updated with the information of empanelled agencies with the department and also asked them to register with eNAM.
Meanwhile, Javid Dar highlighted the subsidies being offered by the department for CA stores, Reefer Vans, Portable Grading Lines and Packaging materials.
Earlier, Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Ghulam Jeelani, shed light on the progress of the department. He shared insights regarding the HADP, JKCIP, linking of fruit mandies, vision of the department, introduction of technology, target groups and other strides.
During the program, a presentation on implementation of JKCIP was also given to educate the participants about the project.
Various representatives of associations, entrepreneurs and progressive farmers also spoke on the occasion. They highlighted the requirement of interventions of government, expectations, experience, feasibility for growth of the Horticulture sector and its role and contribution in GDP.
The meet was attended by representatives of Fruit Growers Associations, Traders, Entrepreneurs, Buyers both Local and from other States, officers and officials of Agriculture Production Department and HP&M department.