Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNS): Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Tuesday convened a high-level review meeting with presidents and office-bearers of fruit associations from various F&V markets of Kashmir Division at the Directorate of Horticulture Planning and Marketing.

Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Gh. Jeelani Zargar (JKAS), along with senior officers of the department, also attended the meeting.

The Director presented a detailed overview of ongoing activities and initiatives to support growers and traders, highlighting steps taken to improve post-harvest management, strengthen market linkages, and enhance efficiency in horticulture marketing across J&K.

During the interactive session, fruit market representatives raised several key concerns, including the need for more Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities, standardized packing material, smoother movement of trucks along the National Highway and Mughal Road, establishment of processing units, crop insurance, strengthening of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), promotion of e-NAM online trading, and better functioning of mandis.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Minister Dar assured stakeholders that their issues will be prioritized and addressed at the earliest, adding that matters outside the department’s scope will be taken up with concerned authorities. He urged participants to adopt modern technologies in horticulture to strengthen J&K’s economy.

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to work together for growth, resilience, and sustainability in the horticulture sector.