the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election, Shri Javid Ahmad Dar, visited the Fruit and Vegetable Market in Sopore to review ongoing development projects and inaugurate the macadamization of the mandi’s working area

May 14, 2025, the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election, Shri Javid Ahmad Dar, visited the Fruit and Vegetable Market in Sopore to review ongoing development projects and inaugurate the macadamization of the mandi’s working area. This project, funded through the MAC Funds, amounts to ₹120 lakh and aims to enhance the infrastructure of the mandi.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Hon’ble MLA Sopore Shri Irshad Rasool Kar, Shri Gh. Jeelani Zargar, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Shri Farooq Ahmad Dar, MD JKHPMC, Dr. Parvinder Singh Sudan, Director Animal Husbandry, Shri Shabir Ahmad Raina, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, Shri Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President Fruit Association Sopore, and various district-level officers. A large number of farmers, growers, and mandi functionaries were also present at the event.
During the function, the Director of Horticulture planning and Marketing welcomed the dignitaries and provided an overview of the steps being taken to modernize the mandi. He highlighted various centrally sponsored and departmental schemes under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), such as CA Stores, Hi-tech Grading Lines, Pick Up Vans, Mini Cold Stores, Refer Vans, Portable Grading Lines, Rural Business Service Hubs (RBSH), and e-trading on the e-NAM portal. The Director encouraged the attendees to avail themselves of these schemes to improve their operations.
Minister Javid Ahmad Dar assured that the government is committed to resolving all genuine issues of the mandi, recognizing its significance in the region’s agricultural economy. He emphasized the government’s dedication to the development and welfare of small and marginal farmers and appreciated the role of the Department of Horticulture Planning and Marketing in the mandi’s development and functioning.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the infrastructure of the Sopore Fruit Mandi, which is one of Asia’s largest fruit markets. Previous developments include the inauguration of a water supply scheme in November 2024, aimed at providing clean and safe drinking water to thousands of traders, workers, and visitors frequenting the mandi The ongoing modernization efforts are expected to improve the mandi’s facilities, benefiting the local agricultural community and contributing to the region’s economic growth.