Srinagar:Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today chaired a review meeting to assess the functioning of Mandis and Kissan Ghars established within and outside Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, the Minister took a detailed appraisal of the facilities, occupancy, services extended to the farmers and issues faced in the operation of these Kissan Ghars. He emphasized that Kissan Ghars are vital infrastructure for providing affordable accommodation and support services to the farming community visiting for official work, training or market linkage activities.
Stressing the need for improved infrastructure, Dar directed the concerned officers to undertake immediate renovation and upgradation of Kissan Ghars located in New Delhi and Kolkata to ensure better accommodation and essential facilities for the farmers visiting these centres for trade-related activities.
The Minister observed that Kissan Ghar serves as an important support system for the farming community by providing affordable lodging and logistical assistance during the marketing of crops and horticultural produce. He emphasized that strengthening these facilities would contribute significantly towards enhancing farmers’ access to national markets and improving their overall trading experience.
Reviewing the functioning of agricultural mandis, Javid Dar instructed the officials to conduct a thorough verification of shop allotments to ensure that the allottees are utilizing the premises strictly in accordance with the prescribed norms and guidelines. He stressed that any misuse of public assets or deviation from the intended purpose of allotments must be identified and addressed promptly.
Reiterating the government’s commitment towards strengthening the agricultural marketing infrastructure, the Minister said that sustained efforts are being made to develop and modernize the mandis across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Poonch, Akhnoor and Jammu, with the objective of providing farmers with better market access and enhanced trading opportunities.
Calling for protection and optimal utilization of public assets, Javid Dar directed the concerned departments to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism to safeguard the government properties and ensure that these assets are used for welfare of the farming community. He also sought a comprehensive and long-term plan for decongestion and modernization of the Sopore Fruit Mandi, aimed at improving the operational efficiency, streamlining trade activities and creating better facilities for the growers and traders.
The Minister underscored the need for coordinated efforts among all the stakeholder departments to strengthen the agricultural marketing infrastructure and create a robust ecosystem that supports the farmers from production to marketing.
Among others present in the meeting were Director Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Managing Director, J&K Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation, Mohammad Farooq Ahmad, President of Fruit Growers Mandi Sopore besides other senior officers of the concerned departments.
