Srinagar, July 24:
In a significant push to enhance the horticulture sector’s market connectivity, the Minister for Agriculture Production, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday inaugurated the region’s first-ever Buyer-Seller Meet organized by the Horticulture Planning & Marketing Department.
The event, aimed at bridging the gap between growers and markets, witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, entrepreneurs, and buyers from across the region.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Dar underscored the importance of adopting modern agricultural techniques and diversifying crop production to meet emerging market demands. He also emphasized the urgent need to curb the use of substandard agricultural inputs through strict enforcement mechanisms.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting the farming community, the Minister urged stakeholders to register with the electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) platform to access broader markets and transparent price discovery. He also called on farmers and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of government subsidies for Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities, reefer vans, and modern packaging solutions.
The meet provided a platform for direct interaction between producers and potential buyers, facilitating potential tie-ups and forward linkages. Stakeholders welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism about improved market access and better price realization.
Officials from the Horticulture Planning & Marketing Department said the event would be institutionalized as an annual affair to ensure sustained dialogue and collaboration among key players in the horticulture sector.
