Srinagar, July 14: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting with the visiting International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Supervision Mission, led by its Country Coordinator, Meera Mishra, to assess the progress achieved under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), a flagship initiative jointly financed by IFAD, the Government of India and Government of Jammu & Kashmir.
The IFAD Supervision Mission, presently on a two-week visit to the Union Territory from 2nd to 14th July, 2026, is undertaking an extensive field appraisal across Jammu and Kashmir to obtain a first-hand assessment of the implementation, quality and impact of interventions executed under the project.
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Agriculture Production Department including ACS, APD; MD, HADP; Project Management Unit (JKCIP), and other stakeholders associated with the implementation of the project.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary was presented with a comprehensive overview of the project’s progress, achievements and future roadmap through a detailed presentation highlighting physical and financial accomplishments, implementation status, digital governance initiatives and the Annual Work Plan and Budget for the coming financial year.
While appreciating the progress achieved, the Chief Secretary emphasized that the project should now focus on translating approvals into tangible assets and sustainable livelihoods on the ground. He directed all implementing agencies to further expedite field execution and ensure that benefits reach eligible beneficiaries within stipulated timelines.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of credit linkage under the project. He observed that although over 2,550 applications have been forwarded to financial institutions, the pace of loan disbursement needs more focus to improve the outcomes. Stressing the critical role of institutional finance in promoting rural enterprises, he called for close coordination with banks and financial institutions to remove procedural bottlenecks and ensure timely sanction and release of credit to beneficiaries.
The meeting was apprised by the ACS, APD, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma that farmer registrations on the portal have increased to 58,307, while applications received have crossed 64,750. More than 39,900 applications have already been approved and 7,406 livelihood units established across the Union Territory, registering substantial growth over the previous review period.
The presentation made by the MD, HADP highlighted that the Climate Smart and Market-Led Production component continues to account for the largest share of project interventions, followed by significant progress under support to vulnerable communities and gradual expansion of the agribusiness ecosystem.
The mission was further informed that the project has already recorded notable achievements across diverse sectors. These include large-scale expansion of niche and high-value crops such as vegetables, Bhaderwah Rajmash, Mushkbudji, Basmati, saffron and other specialty crops, establishment of water management infrastructure, promotion of protected cultivation, mushroom and honey production units, development of seed villages and expansion of high-density horticulture orchards.
The meeting was further informed that the project has facilitated establishment of grading and post-harvest infrastructure, incubation of innovative agri-startups, entrepreneurship promotion, buyer-seller interactions and participation in national trade fairs to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve market access for producers.
Special emphasis has also been laid on livelihood enhancement of pastoralists and vulnerable communities through establishment of income-generating sheep units, distribution of ice boxes to fisherfolk, support for diversified enterprises, creation of milk collection centres and promotion of improved livestock breeding initiatives.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the Annual Work Plan and Budget and appreciated the strategic planning undertaken for the forthcoming financial year. He emphasized the need for timely execution of proposed activities, efficient utilization of available financial resources and strict adherence to project timelines so that intended developmental outcomes are achieved within the project period.
The IFAD delegation appreciated the progress made by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir in institutionalizing transparent digital systems for project implementation and acknowledged the substantial improvements witnessed since the previous supervision mission. The Mission also shared valuable observations and recommendations aimed at further strengthening implementation quality, sustainability of interventions and community participation.
Speaking on the occasion, IFAD Country Coordinator Ms. Merra Mishra reiterated IFAD’s continued commitment towards supporting sustainable agricultural transformation, climate-resilient farming systems, inclusive rural livelihoods and entrepreneurship development in Jammu & Kashmir. She appreciated the efforts of the Agriculture Production Department and all implementing agencies in accelerating project implementation and expressed confidence that the recommendations emerging from the supervision mission would further enhance project outcomes.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the Government’s commitment towards successful implementation of JKCIP and directed all stakeholder departments to maintain close coordination with the IFAD Mission for effective incorporation of its recommendations. He emphasized that the project offers a significant opportunity to transform agriculture into a competitive, climate-resilient and market-oriented sector while generating sustainable livelihoods for farmers, youth, women and vulnerable communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting concluded with a detailed discussion on the roadmap for the remaining project period, with emphasis on improving implementation efficiency, accelerating credit flow, enhancing convergence among departments and ensuring measurable socio-economic impact across the Union Territory.
