Srinagar, Feb 17: Haakh, the traditional Kashmiri green often overlooked by younger generations, is in fact a powerful source of nutrition with significant scientific potential.

Maqsooda Perveen, a PhD Scholar in Plant Biotechnology at SKUAST-K, Srinagar, screened over 70 Haakh genotypes collected from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The research identified four elite variants rich in nutraceutical compounds with promising supportive potential against prostate, breast, ovarian, and lung cancers, along with modulation of key molecular pathways.
To make Haakh relevant for modern lifestyles, she founded Leafonix, a startup that developed a Haakh-based effervescent tablet that dissolves in water, allowing convenient consumption of its nutritional benefits. The product is currently available in four flavours.
Leafonix is incubated at the SKUAST-K Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (SKIIE) Centre, which actively supports research-driven startups and works toward translating scientific innovation into real-world solutions.
The initiative is guided by Dr. Khalid Z. Masoodi, Associate Professor of Plant Biotechnology at SKUAST-K, recipient of the BIOE3 Award, holder of 11 patents, and contributor to technologies ranked among the Top 10 emerging technologies in India.
This innovation was supported by the vision of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, along with Dr. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension, SKUAST-K and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, who continue to promote translational research for sustainable societal impact. The SKIIE Centre leadership, under its Chief Executive Officer, has also played an important role in nurturing the startup ecosystem within the university.
The product was recently launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir during the Gongul Festival at SKUAST-K, in the presence of Mr. Javid A. Dar (Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development) and Ms. Sakina Yatoo (Hon’ble Minister for Education, Medical Health and Social Welfare), along with senior university officials.