In a significant step towards strengthening industry-academia collaboration and promoting value addition in Kashmir's iconic pashmina sector, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Naqash Royal Arts, a leading business firm with decades of experience in domestic and international pashmina markets.
The agreement, signed through the Division of Livestock Products Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Shuhama, will leverage the University's scientific expertise to develop high-value pashmina products with enhanced quality, durability and commercial appeal.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Director Education Prof. Mohammad Altaf Bhat, Director Extension Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Registrar Prof. Azmat Alam, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry Prof. Riaz Ahmad Shah, industry partners and faculty members.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Asif Sofi, Head, Division of Livestock Products Technology, said the partnership reflects the Division's continued commitment to strengthening industry linkages through knowledge exchange, resource sharing and technology transfer. He noted that the Division has signed 10 collaborations in the past two years, taking its total number of MoUs to 12, with partners including ICMR, ICAR-CIRCOT, NIFT, artisans and other stakeholders.
Dr. Sofi said the collaboration seeks to combine traditional craftsmanship with scientific intervention to develop handmade pashmina knitwear that meets evolving market expectations while preserving the authenticity of Kashmir's centuries-old craft.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai said pashmina is one of Kashmir's most valuable heritage products and holds immense potential for diversification through research-driven innovation. He emphasized that the collaboration will focus on extensive research and development to create premium handmade pashmina knitwear that is organic, durable and globally competitive.
"Through this partnership, we aim to develop products that can carry Kashmir's craftsmanship to global markets while creating new economic opportunities for the sector," Prof. Ganai said.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen the interface between research and industry by translating scientific expertise into market-ready pashmina products, contributing to the sustainable growth and global positioning of Kashmir's pashmina industry.
