Srinagar, June 29: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), on Monday launched a one-week advanced capacity-building program on Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Modeling for Economic Policy Analysis at its Shalimar campus.

Organized by the Institute of Business and Policy Research (IBPR), SKUAST-K, the program will run from June 29 to July 4, bringing together researchers, academicians, policymakers, and development professionals from across the country for intensive training in advanced economic modeling and policy analysis.
The program aims to strengthen participants’ capacity to apply CGE models for evidence-based research, policy simulation, and informed decision-making across sectors such as agriculture, trade, rural development, and public policy.
The inaugural session was presided over by Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, while Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI, Prof. Anjani Kumar, attended as Guest of Honor. Registrar, SKUAST-K, Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, and Director, Extension and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, Prof. Raihana H. Kanth were also present.
Underscoring the institutional significance of the initiative, the Vice Chancellor said, “Advanced economic modeling is central to designing sustainable and inclusive policy solutions. This program reflects SKUAST-K’s commitment to research excellence and policy relevance.”
Welcoming participants, Course Director Prof. Farhet A. Shaheen highlighted the program's practical focus and its relevance to strengthening analytical capacity among researchers and policy professionals. Highlighting the broader policy relevance of such analytical tools, Prof. Anjani Kumar said, “CGE modeling has become indispensable for understanding economic complexity and strengthening policy decisions through data-driven insights.”
Expanding on the technical significance of the framework, Dr Barun Deb Pal, Lead Resource Person from IFPRI, noted, “CGE models provide a powerful framework to assess economic linkages and policy impacts across sectors.”
The collaboration with IFPRI further reinforces SKUAST-K’s expanding global research partnerships and its growing role in economic policy research and institutional capacity building.