Ziraat Times News Desk
Jammu: In a significant move to strengthen horticulture-based livelihoods and agri-business partnerships, the Department of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, Jammu and Kashmir, organised a Buyer-Seller Meet under the theme “Connecting Farmers with Markets” at the Convention Centre, Jammu.
The event, aimed at enhancing direct engagement between producers and institutional buyers, brought together a wide range of stakeholders including horticulture growers, FPOs, exporters, agri-entrepreneurs, and retail chain representatives. The initiative sought to promote transparency in price negotiations, long-term trade relationships, and value chain development for J&K’s premium horticultural produce such as apples, walnuts, saffron, basmati rice, cherries, pecannuts, pears, and apricots.
The meet was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Shri Javid Ahmed Dar, who served as Chief Guest. Also present were senior officials from NABARD, APD, JK Agro, HPMC, and various allied departments including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Sericulture.
In his address, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director of Horticulture Planning and Marketing, reiterated the government’s commitment to building robust marketing linkages within and outside the UT. He highlighted flagship initiatives under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and J&K Competitive Investment Project (JKCIP)—including establishment of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores, pack houses, grading units, and cold chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve quality.
The event featured B2B interactions, technical sessions, and knowledge-sharing on key topics such as:
-
Export potential of horticultural produce
-
Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
-
Integration with e-market platforms like e-NAM
-
Innovations in packaging and logistics
