Basmati Mandis to be set up across JK to save farmers from exploitation by middleman: Hanjura

Inaugurates 7th annual buyer-seller meet for Basmati rice

JAMMU: Underlining that the department will soon set up Basmati Mandies at several places where the buyers and sellers will hold direct transactions to save the farmers from exploitation at the hands of middleman, the Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, today said that the Government is working on a comprehensive plan to open up Basmati Mandis across the state to give better marketing facilities to farmers.
The Minister was addressing the farmers and growers after inaugurating 7th annual buyer-seller meet for traditional aromatic Basmati rice at SKUAST (J).
Vice Chairman Jammu and Kashmir State Board for Development of Kisans, Daljeet Singh Chib, MLA R.S. Pora Dr Gagan Bhagat, Vice Chancellor SKUAST (J) P.K. Sharma, Secretary Agriculture Production Department Showkat Ahmad Beig, Former Member Parliament Tirlok Singh Bajwa, Director Agriculture Jammu, H.K. Razdan, Agriculture scientists, farmers and exporters of Basmati rice were present on the occasion.
While highlighting the government’s initiatives in the agriculture sector, the Minister, said that the department will soon set up Basmati Mandies at several places where the buyers and sellers will hold direct transactions to save the farmers from exploitation at the hands of middleman. Hanjura said that the department is also making efforts to make R.S Pora Basmati Mandi operational to help the local farmers sell the Basmati at their door steps.
The Minister said that Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) with its focus on adoption of micro-irrigation project (Har Khet Ko Pani) and end-to-end irrigation solutions will help local farmers by providing them round the year irrigation facilities which will help increase their annual yield. He also announced that Fasal Bima Yojana will be launched in the State soon.
The Minster along with other dignitaries inspected the stalls of items exhibited by various farmers and organizations. Farmer associations, societies, groups, farmer producer companies (FPCs) and respective mill owners, wholesale traders and exporters from within and outside the State participated in the meet.