SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday inaugurated the two-day International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Project Partners’ Learning Forum 2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), highlighting the role of technology, innovation and women farmers in transforming agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.
Organised by the Mission Directorate of the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) of the Agriculture Production Department, the forum is being held under the theme, “Celebrating the International Year of Women Farmers: Empowering Women, Transforming Agriculture.”
The event brought together senior government officials, representatives of IFAD, project directors from IFAD-supported projects across India, development professionals, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.
In his inaugural address, Dulloo emphasised the need for greater convergence among government institutions, development partners and farming communities to build resilient and market-oriented agricultural systems. He said technology and innovation would play a key role in improving agricultural productivity and reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering women farmers through capacity building, entrepreneurship and access to technology.
Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganie, highlighted the importance of research, innovation and scientific interventions in enhancing agricultural productivity and called for stronger linkages between research institutions, extension agencies and farmers.
Earlier, Mission Director, HADP/JKCIP, Dr. Sagar D. Dattatray outlined the objectives of the forum and highlighted the progress made under JKCIP in promoting digital agriculture, strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations, supporting agri-startups and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across Jammu and Kashmir.
IFAD India Country Director James Marc de Sousa-Shields reaffirmed the organisation’s support for inclusive rural development and appreciated JKCIP’s progress in building a digital ecosystem and community-based implementation model.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of three initiatives under JKCIP. The Chief Secretary unveiled the fourth edition of JKCIP Pulse, the project’s quarterly knowledge newsletter, and the JKCIP Annual Report 2025-26, which documents the project’s achievements during its first full year of implementation.
The forum also witnessed the launch of Krishi Mitra AI, an artificial intelligence-based crop advisory and leaf diagnosis platform developed under JKCIP to provide farmers with personalised, data-driven advisory services through the project’s digital ecosystem.
An exhibition showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture was organised alongside the forum. Ten JKCIP-supported agri-startups displayed technologies and products related to precision farming, agri-processing, digital services and value addition, while five Farmer Producer Organisations exhibited high-value agricultural and horticultural products.
The Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and Horticulture Planning and Marketing also set up exhibition stalls highlighting government initiatives, farmer-oriented programmes and value chain development efforts.
The opening day concluded with technical sessions, networking and knowledge-sharing among representatives of IFAD-supported projects from across the country. According to organisers, the second day will feature thematic discussions, experience-sharing sessions and field visits to successful Farmer Producer Organisations, agri-startups and Centres of Excellence supported under JKCIP.
