The Annual General Meeting unanimously adopted the audited accounts of the Corporation for the financial years 2019-20 to 2023-24.

Addressing the meeting, the Minister underscored the pivotal role of JKHPMC in strengthening the horticulture value chain and creating better marketing opportunities for the growers. He directed the Managing Director to institutionalize biannual review meetings to regularly assess the Corporation’s performance, monitor implementation of decisions and formulate a forward-looking strategy for sustainable growth.

Javid Dar stressed the need to identify new areas of expansion and innovation in agricultural and horticultural marketing, processing and value addition so that the farmers receive better returns for their produce. He called upon the Corporation to adopt a result-oriented approach and align its activities with the evolving needs of the farming community.

The Minister directed the officers to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all Corporation assets and ensure their proper maintenance, effective monitoring and optimum utilisation. He said that efficient asset management and timely execution of development projects would significantly enhance the Corporation’s operational capacity and financial sustainability.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the holistic development of the agriculture and horticulture sectors, the Minister said that JKHPMC has a vital role in promoting post-harvest management, value addition, market linkages and processing infrastructure. This would immensely contribute towards higher farm incomes and sustainable rural economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma; Managing Director, JKHPMC, Mohammad Farooq Dar; Shareholders of the Corporation; members of the Board of Directors and senior officers of JKHPMC.

Earlier, the Managing Director made a detailed presentation highlighting the Corporation’s performance, achievements, financial position and key initiatives undertaken during the review meeting. He also apprised the meeting of the status of statutory audits, progress made in clearing the backlog of audited accounts and the roadmap for completing the remaining audit process within the stipulated timeline.

The meeting held comprehensive deliberations on a wide range of issues, including the Corporation’s financial management, operational performance, implementation of projects under CAPEX and NABARD, infrastructure development, marketing initiatives and strategies to strengthen the Corporation’s role in supporting the horticulture sector across Jammu and Kashmir.

The programme was hosted by Chief Agriculture Officer, Srinagar, Ajaz Ahmad Mir, and was attended by Joint Director Extension Agriculture Kashmir, Joint Director Inputs Agriculture Kashmir, Joint Director Engineering Agriculture Kashmir, Agriculture Chemist Kashmir, District Agriculture Officer Extension Srinagar, Area Development Officer, Vegetable Srinagar, and other officers and officials.

The training covered key aspects of JKCIP, sustainable agricultural practices, improved farm management, extension services, project implementation and reporting.

Sheikh Imran, Agriculture Chemist Kashmir, delivered a technical lecture on sustainable agriculture, soil health management, judicious use of agricultural inputs and natural farming practices. He stressed the importance of scientific advisory services, proper monitoring and documentation for effective implementation of departmental interventions.

A dedicated practical session was conducted on the JKCIP Portal, wherein all participants were provided hands-on orientation on portal navigation, use of various features, data entry, updating of information, monitoring and reporting of project activities.

The participants actively engaged in the technical sessions and discussions. The programme provided an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of JKCIP procedures and improve coordination and service delivery at the field level.

The Agriculture Department Kashmir reiterated its commitment to strengthening capacity-building initiatives for effective implementation of JKCIP and other developmental programmes.

Shopian| July, 27: The Court of adjudication under the Food Safety and Standards Act was convened Monday by the Adjudicating Officer (Additional Deputy Commissioner) Shopian, Dr. Zakir Hussain Faaz during which 12 cases related to violations of food safety norms were disposed of.

During the proceedings, a total penalty of Rs 62,000 was imposed on food business operators found selling substandard milk and edible oil, besides committing other violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The ADC emphasized that there will be zero tolerance for the sale of substandard and unsafe food items, warning that strict legal action, including hefty penalties, will be taken against anyone found violating food safety regulations.

The Court directed the Food Safety Department to continue intensive market inspections across the district to ensure the availability of safe and quality food products for consumers. Food business operators were instructed to strictly adhere to prescribed food safety standards, failing which stringent action will follow.

The District Administration reiterated its commitment for safeguarding public health through regular market checking drives and strict enforcement of food safety laws.

The event, held at SKUAST-K Shalimar campus, aimed to inspire and guide students, researchers, and early-stage innovators towards building scalable, impact-driven social enterprises.

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who was the chief guest at the occasion, emphasised that innovation and entrepreneurship are now essential pillars of higher education. He called on young innovators to leverage their creative potential to address real-world societal problems while driving socio-economic growth across Jammu & Kashmir. He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to supporting startups through robust incubation, expert mentorship, and strategic industry linkages.

During the event,  Assistant Vice President of Incubation at IIMCIP, Soujit Das, delivered a detailed overview of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge—India’s premier platform for social impact ventures. He briefed participants about the application process, detailing available incubation support, mentorship, investor connections, and funding channels.

The seminar also featured insightful technical sessions, including a presentation on sustainable, impact-led business models by  Social Entrepreneur and CEO of Pietbillo Solutions Pvt Ltd, Dr Shuvendu Prasad Roy.

Earlier, CEO, SKIIE, Naveed Hamid, while delivering the welcome address, underscored SKUAST-K’s vision of nurturing an innovation-driven ecosystem to transform young minds from job seekers into job creators.

The event capped off with an interactive Pitching Session, where aspiring entrepreneurs presented their business ideas directly to an expert panel from IIMCIP and SKIIE, receiving hands-on feedback and mentorship to refine their business concepts. The enthusiastic participation from students, faculty, and local founders reaffirmed SKUAST-K’s growing status as a powerhouse for youth-led social innovation.

The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta, along with senior officers of the civil and police administration.

He visited vulnerable stretches of the National Highway where restoration and debris clearance operations are being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He reviewed the deployment of men and machinery and directed the executing agencies to expedite clearance works while ensuring the safety of the personnel engaged in restoration activities.

The DC directed all departments concerned to maintain close coordination and ensure that vehicular movement on the National Highway resumes only after the Traffic Department issues the necessary clearance and travel advisory. He appealed to commuters to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Police and Traffic authorities through official communication channels and to avoid non-essential travel until the weather improves and the highway is declared safe for traffic.

Reviewing the situation arising from the continuous rainfall and the rising water level in the Chenab river, local nallahs and streams, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the departments concerned to intensify public awareness campaigns and prevent people from venturing near water bodies. He urged citizens to stay away from rivers, nallahs and other vulnerable locations to avoid any untoward incident.

Taking stock of the restoration of internal roads and essential public services, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Public Works Department (PWD), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to intensify restoration works by deploying adequate manpower and machinery for the early reopening of all blocked roads and the officers of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), Jal Shakti Department and other line departments to restore electricity supply, drinking water facilities and other essential services on priority.

Restoring road connectivity to the affected areas, he said, remains a priority to minimise public inconvenience and ensure the movement of essential services.

The event is being participated by the leading stakeholders from the food processing, packaging, retail, exports and agri-food sectors on a single platform, strengthening the Western India’s role in global food trade.

The event being organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), aims to further consolidate India’s position as a trusted and competitive partner in global food supply chains by bringing together the leading Indian food producers, international buyers, policymakers, industry leaders and global institutions on a single platform to facilitate trade collaborations, bilateral engagements and long-term partnerships. The show is B2B sourcing event with 300+ exhibitors participating, 40+ retail chains and 15,000 trade visitors are expected to visit the show. Indusfood Ahmedabad will provide 03 days of powerful networking, strategic partnerships and high-value business engagements, all under one roof. The show will provide an opportunity for leading brands, buyers, retailers and decision-makers to come together to connect, source and grow their businesses.

The event will serve as a strategic gateway connecting the global buyers, retail chains, importers, distributors and institutional procurement agencies with India’s rapidly growing food manufacturing ecosystem, particularly from Gujarat and Western India. The show is expected to witness participation from supermarkets, retail chains, distributors, wholesalers, food importers, exporters, hospitality buyers, food service operators, packaging companies, engineering firms and technology solution providers.

The Jammu & Kashmir Pavilion, located at Hall No. 2, provides a vibrant platform for MSMEs, FPOs and women entrepreneurs to showcase their premium offerings. The Pavilion highlights Jammu and Kashmir’s world-renowned Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products such as Saffron, Rajmah, Sulai (Acacia) and multifloral honey, along with organic honey, essential oils, herbs, grounded spices, pulses, dry fruits, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, reflecting the region’s authenticity, quality and excellence. The platform not only provided exposure and experience but also facilitated substantial business opportunities for the entrepreneurs from Jammu & Kashmir. The region’s exceptional products and culinary traditions stood out, contributing to the success of Indus Food 2026 as a significant avenue for promoting India’s diverse food industry on the global stage.

Speaking on the occasion, the Managing Director JKTPO stated: “The Jammu & Kashmir Pavilion at Indus Food Ahmedabad 2026 reflects our region’s growing strength in agri-based value chains, quality production and export readiness. The JKTPO remains committed to enable the MSMEs, FPOs and women entrepreneurs to integrate with global markets and build a strong brand identity for J&K products worldwide.”

The visitors, buyers and trade delegates are warmly invited to visit the Jammu & Kashmir Pavilion to explore the best of J&K’s vibrant agro sector and experience the richness of the region’s premium food, agriculture and horticulture products.

He inspected all three laboratories, examining testing procedures, analytical facilities, record maintenance, laboratory hygiene, equipment functionality, compliance with quality control protocols and workflow and discussed operational challenges with the laboratory personnel.

The Director instructed the officers concerned to achieve the assigned testing targets within the stipulated timeframe while maintaining technical efficiency, scientific accuracy and transparency. Laboratory reports, he said, must be generated strictly as per the prescribed quality protocols to ensure the credibility of analytical results.

He directed the Analysts to bring additional pesticide molecules under the scope of analysis at the Pesticide Testing Laboratory so that a wider range of formulations can be monitored and called for strengthening the Mini Soil Testing Laboratories established under HADP as well as facilities for testing organic fertilisers, bio-fertilisers and pesticide residues. Robust testing infrastructure, he said, would ensure the quality and safety of agricultural inputs and support sustainable farming practices.

Agriculture Chemist Roshan Lal informed the Director that all three laboratories have been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and are continuously upgrading their infrastructure, analytical capabilities and quality assurance practices to provide accurate and timely testing services to the farming community.

The Director was accompanied by Agriculture Chemist Roshan Lal, SMS-RL Krishan Kant, Assistant Soil Chemist (STL) Chander Shekhar, Assistant Agriculture Chemist (PTL) Ravinder Gupta, Assistant Biochemist (FQCL) Deepak Singh, Analysts, besides other officers and staff of the department.

Similarly, the power supply to Bathindi, Sunjwan and adjoining areas will remain affected on July 25 from 5:30 am to 6 am and 10 am to 10:30 am.