BARAMULLA, Jan 3: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, chaired a high-level review meeting today to draft a holistic modernization plan for the Sopore Fruit Mandi.
Following directives from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent District Development Board meet, the Minister emphasized that as Asia’s second-largest fruit market, Sopore Mandi requires systematic infrastructure upgrades rather than just physical expansion.
The session focused on transforming the mandi into a tech-driven hub by proposing the establishment of hi-tech grading lines, cold storage facilities, and portable graders to minimize post-harvest losses and ensure premium returns for the region’s apple growers.
During the deliberations, which included MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar and Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa, the Minister addressed critical logistical bottlenecks. Key priorities identified include the widening of the main approach road, the creation of a dedicated truck yard, and the implementation of a robust solid waste management system.
To improve the welfare of the workforce, the plan also incorporates the establishment of a medical dispensary and a “Labour Sarai.” Minister Dar directed the district administration to submit a comprehensive proposal immediately, reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening the “farm-to-market” supply chain and cementing Sopore’s status as a cornerstone of Jammu & Kashmir’s horticulture economy.
