 Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 6: The two day IFAD Project Partners' Learning Forum 2026, organised by the Mission Directorate, Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP)/Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) under the Agriculture Production Department, commenced today at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar.
The Learning Forum, centred on the theme "Celebrating the International Year of Women Farmers: Empowering Women, Transforming Agriculture," was attended by the senior government officials, representatives of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Project Directors from IFAD-supported projects across India, development professionals, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to deliberate on innovative approaches towards inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.
The inaugural session was presided over by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, who formally inaugurated the Learning Forum and addressed the gathering.
In his keynote address, the Chief Secretary highlighted the transformative role of technology, innovation and institutional convergence in strengthening the agriculture sector. He emphasised the need for greater collaboration among the government institutions, development partners and farming communities to build resilient and market-oriented agricultural systems.
Atal Dulloo also underscored the importance of women farmers as catalysts of rural transformation. He reiterated the government's commitment towards empowering them through technology, capacity building and entrepreneurship.
The gathering was also addressed by Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganie, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, who emphasised the critical role of research, innovation and scientific interventions in enhancing the agricultural productivity and sustainability. He stressed the importance of stronger linkages between research institutions, extension agencies and farmers to accelerate the adoption of modern technologies and improve rural livelihoods.
Earlier, Dr. Sagar D. Dattatray, Mission Director, HADP/JKCIP, outlined the objectives of the Learning Forum. He highlighted the significant progress achieved under JKCIP in strengthening the institutional systems, promoting digital agriculture, supporting Farmer Producer Organisations, nurturing agri-startups and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across Jammu & Kashmir.
James Marc de Sousa-Shields, Country Director, IFAD India, also addressed the participants and reiterated IFAD's commitment towards supporting inclusive rural transformation through partnerships, innovation and knowledge sharing. He appreciated the progress made by JKCIP in establishing a robust digital ecosystem and community-driven implementation model.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of three key knowledge and digital initiatives under JKCIP. The dignitaries unveiled the fourth issue of JKCIP Pulse, the project's quarterly knowledge newsletter documenting innovations, field experiences and institutional learning. They also released the JKCIP Annual Report 2025-26, showcasing the project's achievements during its first full year of implementation. |
