JULY 25: In a landmark move to enhance market linkages and improve farmer incomes, Minister for Agriculture Production, Javid Ahmad Dar, inaugurated the first-ever Buyer-Seller Meet in Jammu & Kashmir, organized by the Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department. The event brought together a wide range of participants, including progressive growers, agri-entrepreneurs, traders, and buyers from various parts of the country.
The primary objective of the meet was to bridge the gap between producers and markets, providing a common platform for interaction, negotiation, and long-term collaboration. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to make the horticulture sector a stronger contributor to the region’s economy.
In his address, Minister Dar stressed the importance of adopting modern agricultural practices and embracing crop diversification to meet the demands of changing markets and climate conditions. He noted that market-driven production is key to sustaining profitability for farmers in the current era.
He also highlighted the pressing issue of substandard agricultural inputs affecting productivity and called for strict enforcement mechanisms to regulate fertilizers, pesticides, and planting materials in the market.
A significant focus of his speech was on increasing farmer participation in the electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM). The Minister encouraged stakeholders to register on the platform, which offers transparent, competitive, and nationwide market access.
Additionally, he urged farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to take advantage of government subsidies and schemes for establishing Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage units, reefer vans, and adopting modern packaging techniques—critical infrastructure needed to reduce post-harvest losses and increase product value.
The meet witnessed encouraging participation and constructive dialogue between growers and buyers, setting the stage for new trade partnerships and market opportunities.
Minister Dar concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to doubling farmer income and strengthening the horticulture value chain from farm to market. He also emphasized that such initiatives would continue to be held regularly to institutionalize direct linkages and transparency in agricultural trade.
