Inaugurates Rs 4.30 crore fruit & vegetable processing centre in Anantnag
Assures taking Dry Port at Jablipora Fruit Mandi issue with Centre
Anantnag, Apr 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the government will not allow “jungle raj” in Jammu and Kashmir and that nobody will be permitted to disturb peace in the region.
Speaking with reporters at the Jashn-e-Amad-e-Bahar event at Jablipora in Anantnag, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the government aims to begin a new phase in Jammu and Kashmir and make a fresh start so that the atmosphere remains peaceful and conditions stable.
He said some elements are trying to create “jungle raj” and disturb the peaceful environment. “There are people who do not like peace and instead want communal unrest and conflict. I want to make it clear that as long as my government remains in power, we will not allow such things to happen in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Omar urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure strict action against those involved in the Ramban killing and those who attempted to disturb the situation. “This should send a strong message that such disorder and lawlessness will not be tolerated by the present government,” he said.
The CM said that a weather-based crop insurance scheme for horticulture will be implemented soon.
“Our farmers and landowners face many challenges. The biggest among them is the weather, as it is beyond human control. While we can manage other factors, we cannot control when it rains, when the sun shines, when winds blow, or when hailstorms occur. However, we can try to reduce its impact,” he said.
Abdullah said the government has taken steps in this direction and strengthened the weather-based crop insurance scheme. “However, I have a concern that our farmers are not fully utilising it,” he said.
He said the scheme has so far seen very limited participation and urged farmers to take full advantage of it. “In the coming days, we will also implement a weather-based crop insurance scheme for horticulture. I hope our orchardists and landowners will benefit from it,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he will take up the matter of establishing a Dry Port at Jablipora Fruit Mandi with the Centre to facilitate direct export of local products to foreign countries.
“While visiting an exhibition here, a progressive woman farmer told me that although she exports her products to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other countries, she first has to send them to Delhi for customs clearance. After packaging, the products are shipped abroad, which creates several difficulties and sometimes leads to damage,” he said.
He said the farmer demanded a Dry Port near Jablipora Fruit Mandi in Anantnag. “I assure the people that we will take up this matter with the Centre on priority and seek approval for establishing a Dry Port in the area so that exports from here become easier,” Omar said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah 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, Additional Chief Secretary to CM, Dheeraj Gupta 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 area. 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. (KNO)
