SKUAST-K joins stakeholders to co-develop electronic, smart provisions

RK News
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13 Nov 2025

Srinagar, Nov 12: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir’s Institute of Business, Policy and Research (IBPR) in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Budgam, organised series of Stakeholder Interaction-cum-Focus Group Discussion (FGD) at Budgam under the MEITY, GoI sponsored project on “e-Marketing Ecosystem in J&K” on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued here, Head KVK Budgam, Principal Investigators of MEITY sponsored project, Experts of KVKs, key farmers and other stakeholders participated in the interaction.

Prof Bilal Ahmad Lone, Head KVK, Budgam in his opening remarks brought out various challenges in agricultural sector of the territory, and fruit sector of the district in particular, is facing. He showed his concerns about chronic marketing issues and sought IBPR’s contribution by way of strengthening Farmers-Market Linkages through AI & electronic provision. He highlighted the growing importance of digital markets linkages in bringing together farmers, traders, FPO members and other market functionaries across the nation for better price realisation.

Prof SH Baba, IBPR, gave a comprehensive presentation on the missing links in the existing marketing routes and emphasized upon the need for the integration of value chain of horticultural produce. He gave a detailed insights on how SKUAST-K in collaboration with CDAC, Kolkatta will be developing AI-based Electronic Market Ecosystem for the seamless markets of major crops including Apple, Walnut and Saffron. The various provisions including Real-time Decision Support System to be developed in the project will overcome marketing barriers, expand markets and ensure transparency in trade, he said. During his delibration, Prof. Baba revealed how the planned roadmap for the deployment of AI-marketing Gadgets will be executed at the ground level and how the active role of farmers, traders, FPOs and other key stakeholders is important.

Meanwhile, DARS, SKUAST-Kashmir, Rangreth conducted one day “Training Programme-cum-free Input Distribution’ covering farmers from three districts of Kashmir valley. The programme was organised under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and sponsored under project No. 01 entitled,” Development of Seed and Seed Multiplication Chain in PPP Mode”. More than forty Agri-preneurs and 20 progressive farmers from three districts of Baramulla, Ganderbal and Pulwama were benefitted by benefitted by the programme. Quality fodder Oats and wheat seed of SKUAST-K released varieties was also distributed free of cost with aim of boosting fodder and livestock production and fostering wheat production in the area.

Training Co-odinator Dr. Fayaz Ahmed Bahar, Professor Agronomy, in his lecture highlighted the role of SKUAST-K in reaching out to the farming community of the valley and importance of fodder oats in sustaining the fodder and milk production of the valley. The farmers were highly motivated and enthusiastic with this intervention and were guided with scientific technological knowhow of the fodder crop for better yields. Dr. N. S. Khuroo, Professor GPB, AICRP-Forages, highlighted the contribution of released varieties in replacement of local landraces and their deployment. He assured the participants for any sort technical assistance for enhancing crop diversification and profitability.

Associate Director Research, DARS, Rangreth and PI HADP Project No.1, Prof. Mohd Ashraf Bhat spoke about of increasing production and profitability of fodder crops in line with the changing climatic scenario.