Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: Commissioner/Secretary Agriculture Production Department Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon today laid the foundation stone of the food processing and distribution center at Industrial Complex, SIDCO, Phase-II Samba being setup by Safe-n-Fresh Foods which is a joint venture of Actech Agro Pvt. Ltd. and Jammu Oriental Fresh Farmer Producer Company Limited.
Addressing the large gathering of farmers and officers of concerned departments, Dr. Samoon said that the venture is a part of efforts being made by the Government to connect the farmers with the market. The Controlled Atmosphere Based Cold Storage and Vegetable Processing Unit is envisaged to provide all necessary support to farmers through the Producer Company to start marketing network.
The District Development Commissioner, Samba Mrs Sheetal Nanda and Dr. S.S. Jamwal, Director Agriculture Jammu were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, Arvind Pachouri, Project Director, Actech apprised that this distribution center will be a strong link in the marketing chain for organic produce also. The Actech is promoting organic farming in three districts of Udhampur, Reasi and Kathua in a total of 1000 Ha land. Through this processing and distribution centre farming community of Jammu region will be able to get better prices during peak seasons and consumers will get fresh and quality vegetables. This will also help in preserving surplus produce during peak production months.
During the event, the farmers of Kathua district displayed their organically produced vegetables.
Agriculture Production Commissioner also asked for distribution of membership cards to the share holder farmers of Farmer Producer Company. This card bears photograph of the member besides membership number which allows them to make easy transaction with the company. The details of all transactions between farmers and company can be accessed online using the membership card details.
The event was also attended by Managing Director JKHPMC, Syed Rafiq Ahmad, Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), A.K. Malhotra, GM, DIC, Satish Sharma, District Development Manager, NABARD, Samba, Chief Agriculture Officer Samba, Kulbhushan Sambyal, Project Manager, Actech Agro, Vikas Verma, Quality System Manager, Actech, Vivek Shahi and Chairman Jammu Oriental Farmer Producer Company, Deepak Sharma, along with farmers of Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts.
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