Bijbehara, April 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Fruit & Vegetable Processing Centre at the International Fruit Market in Jablipora, Anantnag.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education Sakeena Masood Itoo, Minister for Agriculture Production and Rural Development Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Srigufwara-Bijbehara Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, besides other legislators, senior officers and officials.
The fruit market has been established at an estimated cost of ₹4.30 crore under the CAPEX budget, with the objective of strengthening post-harvest infrastructure and enhancing value addition for horticultural produce in the region. The project has been executed by the Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing & Processing Corporation Ltd.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the establishment of such modern infrastructure would go a long way in reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring better returns for farmers. He added that the government is focused on building a robust value chain in the horticulture sector, enabling local produce to compete in national and international markets.
Designed as a comprehensive facility, the centre is equipped with a range of modern components aimed at minimizing losses and improving product quality. It comprises a Fruit and Vegetable (F&V) canning and packaging unit, a dedicated pack house for sorting and grading, a mushroom processing unit, and a tomato puree manufacturing facility.
In addition, the centre includes a high-capacity fruit drying unit with a processing capability of 400–500 kg per hour, a 20 metric tonne freezing chamber, and advanced packaging and storage facilities. These components are expected to significantly enhance processing capacity, extend shelf life, and open new market avenues for local growers and agri-entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister observed that the government is committed to transforming agriculture and allied sectors into sustainable engines of growth, with a special focus on value addition, innovation and market access. He emphasized that initiatives like this would not only strengthen the rural economy but also generate employment opportunities for youth.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited various stalls set up by departments of agriculture and allied sectors, where he interacted with progressive farmers, agri-entrepreneurs and self-help groups.
He took keen interest in the innovative practices, modern techniques and locally developed products on display. Appreciating their efforts, he encouraged them to adopt modern technologies and diversify into high-value crops and allied activities.
He reiterated that the government would continue to provide necessary support, including training, financial assistance and market linkages, to ensure that grassroots innovations evolve into sustainable success stories across Jammu and Kashmir.
