Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir held a one day food processing conclave at Shalimar to deliberate on growth opportunities, policy support, and industry modernisation in the sector.
The conclave titled, ‘Jammu and Kashmir Produce and Processing Conclave’ was organised by SKUAST-K’s Division of Food Science & Technology in collaboration with Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India.
The program brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, and food processing stakeholders to deliberate on the issues and way forward for the processing industry in J&K.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who was the chief guest on the occasion, emphasised the critical role of research, innovation, and academia–industry collaboration in unlocking the horticulture and food processing potential of the region. Guest of Honour, Dr JP Dongare, Deputy Agricultural Marketing Advisor, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, highlighted key government initiatives, policy convergence, and schemes aimed at promoting value addition, infrastructure development, and entrepreneurship in food processing. Prof Haroon Rashid Naik, Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir, spoke about the university’s research-driven approach to strengthening the food processing sector and role of MoFPI support in boosting this sunrise industry. Prof Rihana Habib Kant, Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, underlined the vast untapped potential of Jammu & Kashmir in horticulture-based food processing and need to develop fortified foods.
Industry perspectives were presented by Basheer Ahmed Naik, President, Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetables Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), and Ishaq Chowdhary, President, Kashmir Food Processors Association (KFPA), who emphasised the need for robust cold chain infrastructure, market access, and policy support to enhance competitiveness of local processors. The technical sessions featured lectures by Mohammad Shafi, associated with PMFME Scheme (J&K), Dr Azra Mufti from APEDA, and Mufti Umar Imtiyaz, Food Safety Officer.
A panel discussion on “Insights and Opportunities: Modernizing Jammu & Kashmir’s Food Processing Sector” was moderated by Dr Sajad Mohd Wani, Head, Division of Food Science & Technology, SKUAST-K. The panel included Dr. Jameel Khan, CEO, RBIC, SKUAST-K; Basit Hussain Khan, MD, BST Organics and Shahjahan Khan, MD, Hyacinth Agro Products Pvt. Ltd. The discussion focused on entrepreneurship, incubation support, private investment, and scaling of food processing ventures in the region.
