Every District to Have Centre of Excellence: Javid Dar
JAMMU: The Department of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, Jammu and Kashmir, organized a Buyer-Seller Meet today at the Convention Centre, Canal Road, under the theme “Connecting Farmers with Markets.” The event aimed to strengthen market linkages and promote agri-business partnerships in the Union Territory’s thriving horticulture sector.
The meet was chaired by Javid Ahmed Dar, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative, and Election Departments. Senior officials including the MDs of JKCIP/HADP, JK Agro, HPMC, General Manager NABARD, Special Secretary APD, Director Command, and heads of various allied departments such as Horticulture, Agriculture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries, and Sericulture were present.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including leading horticulture growers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), traders, exporters, agri-entrepreneurs, and representatives of national retail chains. It provided a dynamic platform for direct engagement between buyers and sellers, fostering transparency, better price realization, and new market opportunities for J&K’s premium produce like apples, walnuts, basmati rice, cherries, pecan nuts, pears, and apricots.
Highlights of the meet included focused B2B interactions, technical sessions, and discussions on export potential, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), integration with e-market platforms like e-NAM, and innovations in packaging and logistics.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to empowering stakeholders through training, capacity-building, and enhanced market access at both national and international levels. This initiative aligns with the UT Government’s broader vision to develop a market-driven, sustainable ecosystem for horticulture and boost livelihood opportunities.
Appreciating the department’s initiatives, Minister Javid Dar urged participants to take full advantage of the government schemes aimed at supporting both growers and buyers. He emphasized the government’s focus on uplifting the horticulture sector as a key driver of economic growth in the region.
The Minister announced that every district in J&K will soon have a Centre of Excellence to provide farmers access to modern technology, expert guidance, and essential resources. He also directed officials to focus on the development of rainfed areas across sectors like horticulture, agriculture, and animal husbandry to curb migration caused by lack of livelihoods.
The event facilitated transparent negotiations and long-term business ties between farmers, FPOs, and institutional buyers. Local products such as walnuts, saffron, and processed items were showcased, while modern marketing platforms like e-NAM and B2B partnerships were promoted.
In his inaugural address, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing strong market linkages and an integrated value chain in the horticulture sector. He outlined key initiatives under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Jammu & Kashmir Competitive Investment Project (JKCIP), including Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores, integrated pack houses, grading and sorting lines, and expanded cold chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance quality.
Officials underscored the government’s vision of a sustainable horticulture ecosystem, backed by infrastructure development, market reforms, and capacity-building—an initiative expected to significantly raise farmer incomes and drive value chain growth across J&K.
