PHDCCI Kashmir delegation meets Principal Secretary Agriculture

Srinagar, Aug 7: A delegation from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Kashmir held a detailed meeting with Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Government of J&K, to discuss critical issues impacting the agriculture, horticulture, and agribusiness sectors.

Led by PHDCCI Kashmir Chairman A P Vicky Shaw, the delegation included Co-Chair Himayu Wani, Agribusiness Co-Convenor Nasir Rather, and Deputy Director Iqbal Fayaz Jan.

The delegation highlighted several concerns, including the inclusion of cold room infrastructure under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), price escalation in the High-Density Plantation Scheme, regulation of apple imports, review of HADP and J&K Comprehensive Investment Plan (CIP), quality control on planting material imported from other states, and extending CA store-related schemes to new industrial estates in Shopian.

The Principal Secretary gave a patient hearing and responded to each point in detail, sharing updates on ongoing government efforts to support farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.

PHDCCI also proposed hosting a world-class Agriculture and Horticulture Expo in Srinagar and Jammu to promote innovation in the sector. The delegation further briefed the Principal Secretary about poultry training workshops being conducted across four districts in collaboration with SIDBI and the Animal Husbandry Department.