A 15-day workshop on ‘Novel Design Development of Wool-based Fabrics for Better Marketing’ began today at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shuhama campus.
Supported by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Srinagar, the workshop is part of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) project on ‘Promotion of Wool and Pelt Processing’. Over 35 artisans from across Jammu and Kashmir, engaged in wool-based product development, are participating.
The inaugural session also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SKUAST-K and the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar. The MoU aims to boost collaboration in research, industry revival, and student exchange programs in the wool and carpet sectors.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, the chief guest, highlighted the importance of value addition, design innovation, and skill upgradation in strengthening the wool industry. He stressed the use of natural dyes, traceability tools like QR codes, and reducing the export of raw wool to improve local economies. Prof Ganai also inaugurated a Smart Sheep Shed and a Skilling-cum-Learning Hall at the Mountain Research Centre for Sheep & Goat (MRCSG).