Srinagar: Agriculture Production Minister Javid Ahmad Dar on Monday directed the Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC) to identify new avenues in horticulture marketing, processing and value addition to improve returns for farmers.
Chairing the 45th Annual General Meeting of the corporation at the Civil Secretariat, the Minister also instructed the Managing Director to institutionalise biannual review meetings to regularly assess the corporation’s performance, monitor implementation of decisions and formulate a long-term growth strategy.
The meeting unanimously adopted the audited accounts of the corporation for the financial years 2019-20 to 2023-24.
Dar said JKHPMC has an important role in strengthening the horticulture value chain and expanding market opportunities for growers. He stressed the need for a result-oriented approach aligned with the evolving requirements of the farming community.
The Minister also directed officials to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the corporation’s assets to ensure their proper maintenance, effective monitoring and optimum utilisation. He said efficient asset management and timely execution of development projects would enhance the corporation’s operational capacity and financial sustainability.
Reiterating the government’s focus on the agriculture and horticulture sectors, Dar said JKHPMC should strengthen post-harvest management, value addition, market linkages and processing infrastructure to improve farm incomes and support rural economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, Managing Director Mohammad Farooq Dar presented a report on the corporation’s performance, financial position, achievements and key initiatives. He also briefed the meeting on the status of statutory audits, progress in clearing the backlog of audited accounts and the roadmap for completing the remaining audit process.
The meeting also reviewed the corporation’s financial management, operational performance, implementation of projects under CAPEX and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), infrastructure development, marketing initiatives and measures to strengthen support for the horticulture sector.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, shareholders of the corporation, members of its Board of Directors and senior JKHPMC officers.
