SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD), Shailendra Kumar today held a detailed meeting with the Presidents of terminal Fruit and Vegetable Market Associations of J&K to review their functioning and assess the overall development scenario.
Secretary of Agriculture Production Department, Secretary of Technical Agriculture Production Department, Managing Director JKHPMC, Directors of Horticulture Kashmir/Jammu, FA/CAO Horticulture, Joint Director Planning, Horticulture, Deputy Director (P&M) Jammu/Kashmir, AMOS and Technical officer Horticulture participated in the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by Presidents/representatives from Fruit & Vegetable Markets of Parimpora, Narwal, Jablipora Anantnag, Aglar Shopian and Sopore.
During the meeting, the Principal Secretary emphasized on the need of cleanliness of the Mandis and directed that all Fruit & Vegetable Markets to focus on this aspect as a priority. He also asked the F&V market officials to prepare the budget for development in each Mandi every year by September/October and its approval by January enabling works to start early.
Regarding spurious Fertilizers and pesticides, the Principal Secretary informed that an effective mechanism has been put in place and the law-enforcing agencies have curbed it and if anyone is found indulging in malpractices, huge fine will be levied on them. He asked the association representatives to get involved with Law Enforcing Agencies for enforcing the vigilance of spurious fertilizers.
The Principal Secretary emphasized that government schemes like HADP are tailored for the overall benefit of farmers and their business development and a new scheme JKCIP has also been launched. He also complimented the department for raising the e-NAM trade manifold. He advised the growers to participate in e-NAM to gain remunerative prices for their produce.
While welcoming the participants, Director Horticulture (P&M, Vikas Sharma, dwelled upon the services and other facilities that the department is providing to growers for their smooth business operations.
The Association members highlighted the issues of their respective F&V Markets and requested for their early resolution. Various issues of the Mandis were discussed threadbare including early completion of Baghi Sundri road and development of truck terminal, extension of lease in Narwal Mandi, building permission of CA store in Parimpora by SDA and its supplementary MOU/lease, allotment of shop sites in Aglar and Jablipora.
The Principal Secretary patiently listened to the participants and had a thorough discussion about all the issues.
He stressed that all the allotments for shop sites shall be carried out through e-auction for transparency and accountability. He invited the association members for their views which shall be taken into consideration while finalizing e-auction parameters.
In the meeting Principal Secretary accepted the demand from Mandi Associations for the establishment of Quality Control Laboratories each costing about one crore for six fruit and Vegetable markets in J&K which is expected to enhance quality control mechanism of the fruit being exported. It was also informed that from this year the Crop Insurance Scheme for horticulture crops has been approved.
