WS/VP DESK
Following reports of a communication gap between the Agriculture Minister and the leadership of Asia’s second-largest fruit market, a meeting was finally held on Tuesday. Chaired by Agricultural Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, the meeting included President Sopore Fruit Mandi Fayaz Ahmed Malik (Kakaji).
Earlier, during a crisis in the fruit industry caused by the closure of the national highway, the Agricultural Minister—despite his proximity to the President of Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi—did not visit the market. This had raised concerns among fruit growers and buyers in the industry.
In a social media post, Mr. Malik stated that he attended a consultative meeting chaired by the Minister with the presidents and office bearers of various Fruit and Vegetable Market Associations of Kashmir. The purpose was to review critical concerns within the horticulture sector.
He reported that several key issues were discussed, including CA storage, packaging, transport, processing units, crop insurance, the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), and the e-NAM platform.
The Honourable Minister assured stakeholders of timely action and emphasized the adoption of modern, high-tech practices. These measures are aimed at boosting productivity, strengthening post-harvest management, and improving market linkages.
Mr. Malik added that the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborative efforts to harness the full potential of J&K’s horticulture sector, which he described as “the backbone of our rural economy and a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of families.”
