J&K Horticulture Dept Hosts Mega Export Conclave in Jammu

The participants shared their valuable expertise and also offered significant contributions, allowing J-K to boost its export possibilities even more. APEDA, DGFT, the Federation of Indian Exporters Organizations (FIEO), the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC), and the Indian Postal Department revealed the essential standards for a successful export commerce, as well as government policies and programmes.

Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agricultural Production Department, who presided over the conclave, expounded on present policy and government plans to develop an export promotion policy for the benefit of farmers and other stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.

He highlighted that the government is fully committed to investigating all options for more aggressively and effectively helping J&K's farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, traders, and exporters. "Projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore have been designed and methodically prepared under the J&K UT's Holistic Agricultural Development Programme," he said.

"Among of the areas to be concentrated on in the stated initiative are Agricultural Branding Centers, Rural Service and Business Hubs, Augmentation of CA Stores and Markets, Composting Plants, and Development of Market Intelligence Cells. A large capacity development campaign is underway to teach and sensitize all stakeholders on the Projects' provisions," he added.

He further noted that the government is moving quickly to broaden its bucket of GI products and has already formed an Apex committee headed by Dr Mangla Rai for the Export Promotion Roadmap for J&K, with active talks with all stakeholders underway.

Vikas Sharma, Director of Horticulture Planning and Marketing, stated in his welcome message. "The department has made numerous initiatives to strengthen the region's marketing infrastructure. In the past, the department has also arranged Buyer-Seller Meetings in Kolkata and Jammu, which benefited UT growers."

The participants from across the UT were ecstatic with the Export Conclave, and some even finalised contracts with exporters for the supply of their respective produce. They believed that the government's initiative to bring Buyers/Exporters/Traders from various locations to the farm gate of the UT's growers/farmers would undoubtedly showcase our produce to national and international markets, resulting in increased demand for our products and eventually boosting our rising economy. Dr Sudhanshu gave a detailed presentation earlier on the export scenario of agri-horticulture commodities in J&K.

It was stated that the UT's priority is to promote the export of crops such as fresh fruits such as apples and cherries, walnuts, almonds, saffron, honey, vegetables, processed foods, wool and skins, basmati, pulses, silk, lavender, and other aromatic items. In his remarks, Dr. PK Joshi, a distinguished personality in the field of agriculture, praised the UT government on implementing proactive and farmer-centric policies to strengthen the UT's economy. He lauded recent moves and initiatives and stated that J&K is now being looked to for inspiration by other states.

Heads of Department, Agriculture Production and Farmers' Welfare Department, Representatives from APEDA, DGFT, FIEO, ECGC, Indian posts, IIT, IIM, Jammu University, NABARD, SKUAST, NHB, Kisan Board Members, DMI, Farmers, FPOs, Cooperatives, Entrepreneurs, Exporters, and Market Associations also attended the Export Conclave.