Srinagar: 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 to collaborate on research and development of premium handmade pashmina knitwear.
The agreement, signed through the Division of Livestock Products Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama, aims to combine scientific research with traditional craftsmanship to develop high-value pashmina products with improved quality, durability and market potential.
The MoA was signed in the presence of SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Director Education Prof. Mohammad Altaf Bhat, Director Extension Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Registrar Prof. Azmat Alam, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry Prof. Riaz Ahmad Shah, faculty members and representatives of Naqash Royal Arts.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ganai said the collaboration would focus on research-driven innovation to develop premium handmade pashmina knitwear that is organic, durable and globally competitive, while creating new opportunities for Kashmir’s pashmina sector.
Head of the Division of Livestock Products Technology, Dr. Asif Sofi, said the partnership reflects the university’s efforts to strengthen industry linkages through knowledge exchange, resource sharing and technology transfer.
He said the division has signed 10 collaborations over the past two years, taking its total number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to 12 with organisations including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), artisans and other stakeholders.
According to the university, the collaboration is expected to translate research into market-ready pashmina products and contribute to the sustainable growth and global competitiveness of Kashmir’s pashmina industry.
