In a collaborative effort between the ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, a two-day national conference delved into the advancement of horticulture in the Indian Trans-Himalayan Region through cooperatives and collectives.
The event, held in partnership with MIDH, CNRI, World Cooperation Economic Forum, SFAC, NCDEX, CHAI, AIASA, NCUI, and VAMNICOM, unfolded at SKUAST-K from March 14th to 15th, 2024.
During the inaugural day on March 14th, distinguished speakers including Dr. R. B. Singh, Former Chancellor of CAU Imphal, Dr. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, and Dr. H. P. Singh, Ex-DDG Horticulture, delivered keynotes.
The valedictory session on March 15th, 2024, presided over by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai and Shri Dileepbhai Sanghani, Chairman of WCoPEF & IFFCO and President of NCUI, saw insightful addresses from Shri R G Aggrawal, Group Chairman of Dhanuka, Dr. Rajvir Sharma, Chairman of IIPA, New Delhi, Shri Amit Vyas, Managing Director of Amul, and other eminent speakers. Noteworthy contributors to societal benefit were honored with awards by CNRI during the session.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Srinagar, commended ICAR-CITH, Srinagar, and CNRI for organizing this pivotal conference, emphasizing its significance. Shri Dileepbhai Sanghani lauded the collaborative efforts of ICAR, SKUAST, CNRI, and other organizers, shedding light on the role of IFFCO in serving farmer communities.
Emphasis will be placed on value addition, creating employment opportunities, and establishing farmer-centric value chain systems in Kashmir, revealed the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor.
The Himalayan region’s unique diversity, encompassing demographics, economics, and environment, presents an ideal landscape for cultivating distinctive crops.
Dileep Sanghani, Founder of WCoopEF, Chairman of IFFCO, and President of NCUI, highlighted the cooperative movement’s bolstering in the Himalayas and advocated for the cultivation of hazelnuts, walnuts, and other non-native crops.
Sanghani underscored the importance of value addition in agricultural products, drawing parallels with Amul’s success story. He emphasized that adding value to produce empowers farmers and contributes to India’s prosperity.
Cooperative societies in the Indian Trans-Himalayan region must collaborate closely with the government to encourage horticultural cultivation, stressed CNRI Secretary General, Mr. Binod Anand. He emphasized the crucial role of horticulture in India’s economic growth and outlined strategies to address challenges such as storage and value addition, aiming to create millions of employment opportunities in the region.