New Delhi, April 8 (KINS): In a major initiative to boost the horticulture sector of Jammu & Kashmir, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, undertook an extensive visit to Asia’s largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market—Azadpur Mandi, Delhi—on April 7, 2025.
During his day-long visit, Zargar held detailed interactions with buyers, commission agents, and other key stakeholders of the mandi. The discussions focused on critical issues such as transportation bottlenecks, ensuring transparency in trade practices, and promoting online trading through the e-NAM portal for horticulture produce from Jammu & Kashmir.
He emphasized the need for stronger buyer-seller engagement to create robust market linkages between J&K growers and national-level buyers.
“It is essential to integrate our growers with national markets through consistent dialogue, buyer-seller meets, and adoption of digital platforms like e-NAM. This will ensure fair pricing, transparency, and wider market access,” Zargar said during his meeting with the stakeholders as per news agency KINS.
The highlight of the visit was a marathon meeting held with members of the Kashmir Apple Merchants Association (KAMA) and other major trading groups. The Director listened to the challenges faced by traders and assured them of proactive support from the department to enhance logistics and streamline trading practices.
He also advocated for conducting regular buyer-seller meets to foster trust and long-term partnerships between J&K horticulture producers and outside market players.
Later, Zargar visited the office of the Deputy Director Horticulture at Shalimar Bagh, where he reviewed the functioning of the ‘Kishan Ghar’ facility and assessed the progress of ongoing developmental works in the extension block.
The visit is being seen as a significant step towards building a more integrated and farmer-friendly marketing ecosystem for horticulture produce from Jammu & Kashmir, particularly apples, which form the backbone of the region’s economy.(KINS)
