Over 12,000 farmers, 1800 traders availing benefits from online linkage
JAMMU, JANUARY 25: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, reviewed the status of linkage of mandis of Jammu and Kashmir with e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) in a meeting held at Civil Secretariat here today. Under e-NAM, Mandis or Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) are provided an online pan-India electronic trading portal. In a PowerPoint Presentation given by Director Horticulture (P&M), Vikas Sharma, it was revealed that 9 mandis were onboarded in August 2022 in addition to the already onboard mandis of Narwal and Parimpora. He informed that DPRs have been submitted for adding more mandis. ACS had a detailed information regarding breakup of number of farmers, traders, commission agents and FPOs registered with the individual mandis. He was apprised that over 12 thousand farmers and more than 1800 traders are availing benefits from this online linkage. ACS was also apprised of thirty seven inter-state trade transactions being facilitated by e-NAM. Pertinently, eNAM has successfully achieved trade figures of over Rs. 30 crore as well as fostered encouraging outcomes in interstate trade. ACS enquired about the facilities being provided to the registered members and instructed the officers to ensure that trade volume of each mandi increases over time. ACS also had deliberations with the officers regarding the process of identification of suitable land in coordination with the District Administration for creation of new mandis at Kishtwar, Bandipora, Samba and Reasi for overall development of the agriculture sector. It was noted that all CA stores and warehouses can be declared as sub market yards and that this process would be fast-tracked in the coming month. Also, it was decided that e-auctioning of the unallotted shop sites in various Mandis will be done. Further, it was revealed that the State Agriculture Marketing Board (SAMB) is going to meet twice a year to take important decisions for overall development of Horticulture sector, functioning of fruit and vegetable markets and for regulation of agriculture marketing in the UT. It was informed found that there are a total of 36 mandis in the state, with 22 currently functional and 14 in various stages of development. The meeting was attended by Secretary in Agriculture Production Department, Shabnam Kamili, Joint Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Digvijay Gupta, Deputy Director Jammu (Horticulture Planning & Marketing), Ayaz Ahmad Natnoo, Area Marketing Officers of various districts, President and members of Fruit Association Narwal, Jammu and GMI Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Dr Sudhanshu Gupta. Officials of Horticulture (Planning & Marketing) from Kashmir and a representative from SFAC Delhi were also present virtually.
