CM Omar bats for dry port at Jablipora Mandi to unlock direct exports

Bijbehara, Apr 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said his government will take up with the central government the establishment of a dry port at the fruit and vegetable mandi in Jablipora, Bijbehara, to address export challenges faced by farmers.

Speaking at a farmers’ Jashn i Aamadi Bahar and exhibition- Mega Kisan Mela at the terminal, Abdullah said growers currently face logistical and financial difficulties when exporting produce.

“I met progressive farmers here who told me they export their produce but face many hassles as it first goes to Delhi, where customs duty is imposed, and only then is it sent to international markets,” Abdullah said.

“I assure them that we will take up the issue of establishing a dry port at this mandi with the Union Agriculture Ministry so that products like honey, spices and lavender can be exported directly from here.”

Abdullah said several government schemes, including the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), exist but have seen weak implementation in the past.

“Our government, led by Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, has ensured that these schemes are implemented on the ground,” he said.

He said farmers in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face distress due to adverse weather conditions.

“Rain, snow, hail or windstorms are not in our control. Recently, apple blossom in several villages of Shopian and Kulgam was damaged,” Abdullah said. “We will try to introduce a weather-based crop insurance scheme in the horticulture sector.”

He urged farmers to make use of existing insurance schemes in agriculture and said the government would also take up the issue of waiving Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for distressed farmers.

Regarding agricultural growth, Abdullah said JK has witnessed what he described as a “yellow revolution” due to increased mustard cultivation.

“Earlier, mustard bloom was limited to a few areas, but today it is visible across Kashmir, particularly in south Kashmir. This has increased farmers’ profits and reduced dependence on outside markets for mustard oil,” he said.

“There is also a ‘purple revolution’ underway, with more people cultivating lavender,” he added.

Abdullah said his government now aims to strengthen the dairy sector.

“Milk production has increased, with much of it coming from Pulwama district. But we want other districts to emulate this so we can become self-sufficient,” he said.

He said that only about 4% of milk produced in Jammu and Kashmir is processed, compared with about 90% in Gujarat.

“We need to focus on value addition – processing milk into products like curd, cheese and butter,” he said.

On welfare measures, Abdullah said the government has announced free LPG cylinders and free electricity under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

He also described the recently passed private university bill as a major step.

“Our children had to go outside Jammu and Kashmir for higher education and faced many difficulties. With private universities being encouraged to set up campuses here, they will no longer be dependent on institutions outside,” he said.

Among those who spoke and were present were ministers Sakeena Itoo and Javed Dar, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, local legislator Bashir Ahmad Veeri, and MLAs Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Altaf Ahmad Kaloo, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Showkat Ahmad Ganai, Rafiq Ahmad Naik, Hasnain Masoodi , Feroze Ahmad Shah, Zaffar Khatana and Sajad Shaheen.

Additional Chief Secretary Deeraj Gupta, Director Agriculture Sartaj Shah, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr Bilal Muhudin and other senior officials were also present in the exhibition.

CM also inspected various stalls and spoke to farmers and listened to their issues.