JAMMU: “Gradual and lasting transformation will come through inclusive and balanced regional development,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said as he inaugurated critical agricultural infrastructure projects at Talab Tillo and Narwal Fruit Mandi today.
Stressing the need to bolster trade, tourism and manufacturing alongside agriculture, he underlined that such interventions are pivotal for holistic economic growth across Jammu and Kashmir.
At the Jammu and Kashmir Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd Complex in Talab Tillo, the Chief Minister commissioned a 5,145-MT cold storage facility built with NABARD assistance. The facility features 21 cold chambers and four scientific ripening chambers with automated temperature and humidity controls, Freon-based refrigeration and solar-powered backup.
Robust insulation, SCADA-based monitoring and dedicated docking bays will dramatically reduce post-harvest losses and extend the shelf life of perishables.
“Our endeavour is to establish assets that benefit the maximum number of people. Infrastructure must make farmers more resilient and their produce more valuable,” he stated.
The event was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar; Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs; Transport; Science & Technology; Information Technology; Youth Services & Sports; ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma; MLA Jammu West, Arvind Gupta; Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar; Managing Director J&K Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd., Sandesh Kumar Sharma and Divisional Manager, A.H Salaria, besides other senior officers.
At Narwal Fruit Mandi, the Chief Minister inaugurated four new post-harvest and value-addition units to strengthen Jammu’s agri-value chain. These include a 2,000-MT cold store with ten chambers capable of temperatures down to –10 °C for apples, cherries, grapes and walnuts; a Common Incubation Centre under the PM-FME scheme for dairy and bakery processing; a 120-MT integrated pack house for onions and potatoes with cleaning, sorting, grading and pre-cooling lines; and a display and processing centre for agri-horti tools with dedicated exhibition and sales space.
Addressing a gathering of traders and other stakeholders, the Chief Minister observed that increasing youth and women participation in agriculture, evident from higher enrolments at SKUAST-Jammu, reflects a sector in transformation. Echoing “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” he reiterated agriculture’s equal importance to national service.
Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, emphasised agriculture’s centrality to the UT economy, noting that a large part of the population depends on farming. He outlined government benefits through HADP and other centrally sponsored schemes, the expansion of post-harvest infrastructure and the establishment of satellite mandis to reduce crop wastage. A sub-committee has been formed on the directions of the Chief Minister, to address lease-expiry and other issues affecting fruit marketing agents, he informed.
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs; Transport; Science & Technology; Information Technology; Youth Services & Sports; ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma affirmed the UT government’s commitment to equitable development, ensuring that critical sectors like agriculture receive dedicated attention.
MLA Bahu Vikram Randhawa welcomed the initiatives, describing mandis as vital economic hubs for which continued investment will benefit both producers and traders.
Managing Director JKHPMC, Farooq Ahmed Dar, delivered the welcome address, commending the government’s efforts to link production, processing and market access through modern infrastructure.
The newly inaugurated facilities will benefit farmers across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch by reducing post-harvest losses, improving price realisation and creating local employment in logistics, processing and maintenance.
