Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today chaired the 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce, Marketing and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC) at the Civil Secretariat, here. The Annual General Meeting unanimously adopted the audited accounts of the Corporation for the financial years 2019-20 to 2023-24.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister underscored the pivotal role of JKHPMC in strengthening the horticulture value chain and creating better marketing opportunities for the growers. He directed the Managing Director to institutionalize biannual review meetings to regularly assess the Corporation's performance, monitor implementation of decisions and formulate a forward-looking strategy for sustainable growth.
Javid Dar stressed the need to identify new areas of expansion and innovation in agricultural and horticultural marketing, processing and value addition so that the farmers receive better returns for their produce. He called upon the Corporation to adopt a result-oriented approach and align its activities with the evolving needs of the farming community.
The Minister directed the officers to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all Corporation assets and ensure their proper maintenance, effective monitoring and optimum utilisation. He said that efficient asset management and timely execution of development projects would significantly enhance the Corporation's operational capacity and financial sustainability.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to the holistic development of the agriculture and horticulture sectors, the Minister said that JKHPMC has a vital role in promoting post-harvest management, value addition, market linkages and processing infrastructure. This would immensely contribute towards higher farm incomes and sustainable rural economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma; Managing Director, JKHPMC, Mohammad Farooq Dar; Shareholders of the Corporation; members of the Board of Directors and senior officers of JKHPMC. Earlier, the Managing Director made a detailed presentation highlighting the Corporation's performance, achievements, financial position and key initiatives undertaken during the review meeting.
He also apprised the meeting of the status of statutory audits, progress made in clearing the backlog of audited accounts and the roadmap for completing the remaining audit process within the stipulated timeline. The meeting held comprehensive deliberations on a wide range of issues, including the Corporation's financial management, operational performance, implementation of projects under CAPEX and NABARD, infrastructure development, marketing initiatives and strategies to strengthen the Corporation's role in supporting the horticulture sector across Jammu and Kashmir.