Srinagar | 7 February 2026 : The Jammu and Kashmir – Produce and Processing Conclave was successfully organized on 6th February 2026 at SKUAST-Kashmir. The event was organized jointly by the Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and SKUAST-Kashmir with the support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India. The Conclave brought together policymakers, academicians, financial institutions, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to deliberate on strengthening the food processing and agribusiness ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Conclave was inaugurated by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, who emphasized the critical role of research, innovation, and academia–industry collaboration in unlocking the horticulture and food processing potential of the region. The Central Government Address was delivered by Dr. J. P. Dongare, Deputy Agricultural Marketing Advisor, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, who highlighted key government initiatives, policy convergence, and schemes aimed at promoting value addition, infrastructure development, and entrepreneurship in food processing.
The technical sessions witnessed active participation from leading academicians and industry representatives, including Prof. Haroon Rashid Naik, Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof. Rehana Habib Kant, Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-Kashmir, and Prof. Sajad Mohd Wani, Head, Division of Food Science and Technology, SKUAST-Kashmir, who shared insights on research-driven growth, horticulture advancements, and technology-led interventions in food processing.
Industry perspectives were presented by Shri Basheer Ahmed Naik, President, Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetables Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), and Shri Ishaq Chowdhary, President, Kashmir Food Processors Association (KFPA), who emphasized the need for robust cold chain infrastructure, market access, and policy support to enhance competitiveness of local processors.
Key technical sessions featured addresses by Shri Mohammad Shafi, Area Marketing Officer, Agriculture Production Department (State Nodal Officer, PMFME Scheme, UT of J&K), Dr. Azra Mufti, Business Development Manager, APEDA, RO Srinagar, Shri Surinder Singh, DGM/OIC, Srinagar Cell, NABARD, and Shri Mufti Umar Imtiyaz, Food Safety Officer (HQ), Kashmir Division, focusing on PMFME implementation, export promotion, institutional finance, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
Entrepreneurial success stories and innovation-led initiatives were highlighted by Dr. Jameel Khan, CEO, RBIC, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shri Naved Hamid, CEO, SKIIE Centre, SKUAST-Kashmir, along with industry leaders Shri Basit Hussain Khan, Managing Director, BST Organics, Shri Shahjahan Khan, Managing Director, Hyacinth Agro Products Pvt. Ltd., and Shri Nazir Ahmed Khan, Director, Khunda International, who shared practical insights on scaling agribusinesses, exports, and sustainable value chains.
The Conclave concluded with a strong consensus on the need for policy convergence, enhanced financing, food safety compliance, research-led innovation, and export-oriented growth to strengthen Jammu & Kashmir’s food processing ecosystem. The event reaffirmed KCCI’s commitment to fostering collaboration between government, industry, and academia to drive inclusive and sustainable economic development in the region.
