The Minister made the announcement during his visit to the Fruit Mandi Kanispora in Baramulla, where he held detailed discussions with members of the Fruit Growers Association, progressive orchardists, and farmers.
Accompanied by MLAs from Baramulla, Sopore, and Wagoora, as well as senior officers from the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Command Area Development Departments, Dar assured stakeholders that the government remains committed to safeguarding farmer interests.
“Our aim is to ensure accountability and resilience in the horticulture sector through policy enforcement, infrastructure development, and financial protection,” Dar said.
New Testing Lab and Cold Storage Infrastructure
The Minister also announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art testing laboratory in Baramulla to aid quality testing and research for agricultural produce. Additionally, cold storage facilities are being developed to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the marketability and shelf life of horticultural goods.
Irrigation Focus in Rain-fed Areas
Dar later toured several regions including Tujar Sharif, Harwan, Zaingeer, Zaloora, and the rainfed areas of Bomai, where he reviewed irrigation conditions. He directed officials to identify suitable sites for new borewells and prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
He highlighted the government’s NABARD-funded scheme and the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), which targets the installation of 6,200 community borewells in rain-fed areas across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Focused interventions in water-scarce regions are critical for rural prosperity,” he emphasized, calling for improved inter-departmental coordination to address irrigation gaps.
Government’s Vision for Agriculture
The Minister reiterated that the administration is actively rationalizing agricultural rules and promised strict penalties for violators of farming regulations to ensure fair practices and farmer welfare.
From crop insurance to lab testing, cold storage, and irrigation, the announcements underscore the government’s renewed push to support sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods across Jammu and Kashmir.
Image credit: safetree.in
