AUG 07: In a significant step towards enhancing horticulture trade and creating robust market linkages in Jammu & Kashmir, a Buyer-Seller Meet was organized today in Jammu under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). The event was chaired by Minister for Horticulture, Javid Dar, and witnessed participation from key stakeholders including farmers, traders, agri-business entrepreneurs, and market representatives from across the region.
The meet aimed to bridge the gap between growers and potential buyers, fostering direct B2B (business-to-business) interactions and reducing dependence on middlemen. Farmers were given a platform to showcase their produce and explore marketing opportunities with established buyers from outside the Union Territory as well.
Minister Javid Dar, in his address, emphasized the government’s focus on transforming Jammu and Kashmir into an agri-business hub through innovation, investment, and infrastructure development. He stated that such initiatives under the HADP and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) are not just improving production but also ensuring better returns for farmers.
Highlighting the need for knowledge transfer and technology integration, the Minister announced plans to establish Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for horticulture in every district of Jammu and Kashmir. These CoEs will focus on skill development, advanced cultivation techniques, post-harvest management, and market-driven production.
Participants expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts in facilitating dialogue between growers and buyers and demanded regular organization of such meets across the Union Territory.
The event marks a milestone in the ongoing mission to connect “Farm to Market,” ensuring that local horticultural produce such as apples, walnuts, saffron, and vegetables find better prices and wider reach in national and international markets.
