Buyer-Seller meet organized to boost horticulture trade and market linkages in J&K
KINS Desk
Srinagar July 24 (KINS): The Department of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, Jammu and Kashmir, today organized a Buyer-Seller Meet under the theme “Connecting Farmers with markets”, at Banquet Hall, M.A. Road, Srinagar, with the objective of strengthening market linkages and promoting agri-business partnerships within the Union Territory’s flourishing horticulture sector.
The event was graced by Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmed Dar, as the Chief Guest.
The meet brought together a diverse range of stakeholders including prominent horticulture growers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), traders, exporters, agri-entrepreneurs, and representatives of organized retail chains from across the country. It served as a vibrant platform for direct engagement between buyers and sellers, aiming to enhance transparency, ensure better price realization, and open up new market avenues for J&K’s premium horticultural produce such as apples, walnuts, cherries, pears, and apricots.
In his inaugural address, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to developing a robust mechanism for creating marketing linkages between local sellers and buyers within and outside UT & integrated value chain in the horticulture sector.
He highlighted key initiatives under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) & Jammu & Kashmir Competitive Investment Project (JKCIP), including the establishment of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores, integrated pack houses, grading and sorting lines, and the expansion of cold chain infrastructure, all aimed at minimizing post-harvest losses and improving product quality.
The event featured focused B2B interactions, technical sessions, and knowledge-sharing discussions on 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
Representatives from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), APEDA, Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA), and other national-level organizations participated in the sessions, providing valuable insights on export regulations, warehouse registration, and trade facilitation mechanisms. Delegates from Gujarat, among other states, showed strong interest in building long-term procurement relationships with local growers and FPOs.
The department reiterated its commitment to empowering stakeholders through targeted training, capacity-building programs, and facilitation of market access at both national and international levels.
The event concluded on a highly positive note, with participants expressing satisfaction over the productive interactions and signaling intent for future collaborations and partnerships.
This initiative is part of the UT Government’s broader vision to strengthen horticulture-based livelihoods and boost the agri-economy of Jammu and Kashmir by creating a market-driven and sustainable ecosystem.
The Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmed Dar appreciated the initiatives taken by the department to boost horticulture sector in J&K and advised the participants to avail the benefits of the various schemes launched by the Government for the betterment of growers and buyers of J&K.
The Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing, J&K assured the Hon’ble Minister and participants of the event that the government is very keen to uplift Horticulture Sector for uplift of economy of Growers of J&K and shall continue to explore possibilities for launching similar flagship programs / Schemes to boost the Horticulture
Sector. (KINS)
