BANDIPORA: In order to boost the local economy and encourage self-reliance among the farming community, MLA Sonawari, Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone, on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cooperative Fruit Parlour in Hajin town of district Bandipora.
The event was attended by SDM Sumbal Mir Murtaza, Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies Bandipora, Adnan Nazir besides other senior officials, cooperative society members and a large gathering of people.
Speaking at the event, the MLA highlighted the importance of such ventures in transforming the agricultural landscape of the region. He said the parlour will not only provide a platform for farmers/locals to sell their produce but also add value through modern packaging, processing, and branding.
Lone said, the Cooperative Fruit Parlour in Hajin is part of a broader government initiative to promote cooperative models in rural areas, ensuring socio-economic upliftment and rural prosperity besides providing employment opportunities.
The MLA also directed the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies Bandipora to organize awareness camps across the Sonawari region. He said, it is essential to educate people about government schemes so they can fully benefit and secure sustainable livelihoods.
He urged locals to actively participate in cooperative initiatives, stressing that such platforms not only ensure economic stability but also contribute to community welfare.
On the occasion, the Deputy Registrar Cooperative informed that the parlour, established under the aegis of cooperative society, is equipped with modern storage and refrigeration facilities to ensure the freshness of fruits. It will serve as a hub for direct sales, eliminating middlemen and enabling farmers to receive fair prices for their produce, he added.
