Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department Vishesh Mahajan conducted an extensive tour of Poonch district to take first hand review of Agricultural Marketing activities existing in the district as well as giving on spot directions for further improvements.
Vishesh Mahajan was accompanied by the Executive Engineer Horticulture, AMO Rajouri Poonch, Assistant Director G&P and other officers and officials of the Department.
Director Horticulture visited Fruit and Vegetables Terminal Market at Khankoot, where he had a detailed discussion with all stakeholders and gave on spot directions to the Executive Engineer Horticulture Department to construct a multi storey auction platform complex, first of its type in J&K, at F&V Terminal Market Khankoot. The AMO was given directions to immediately start agricultural marketing activities from the Mandi after taking annual usage charges from those interested to carry on wholesale trade of fruit and vegetables. Allotment of shops shall be made only to those applicants who run wholesale fruit and vegetables trade from the Mandi, satisfactorily atleast for one year, Mahajan added.
Director also asked the agri entrepreneurs to take benefits of a number of Government schemes. He asked the agri entrepreneurs to go for drying of horticulture produce and other local fruits which have very good market not only in J&K but also outside the UT. It was focused upon them to set up a good supply chain for marketing of Anardana and Rajmash. Later, the Director met a delegation of local citizens and traders at Dak Bunglow. Farmers were exhorted to shift to high value products like baby corn, sweet corn and five grain floor.
Vishesh Mahajan gave them full assurance about accelerating agricultural marketing activities in Poonch district.
Director also held meeting with SSP Poonch to ensure uninterrupted movement of fresh fruits from Kashmir valley via Mughal Road. It was decided in the meeting that the department shall share details of fruit trucks alongwith drivers contact number, moving via Mughal Road, with the District Police Poonch well in advance so that trucks move to their destinations without getting stuck up anywhere.
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