Srinagar, Oct 8: Jammu & Kashmir Bank felicitated Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetables Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) President Bashir Ahmad Naik in recognition of his efforts towards strengthening agricultural infrastructure and promoting rural economic development in Jammu and Kashmir.
The felicitation was presented by J&K Bank Divisional Head Arshad Ahmad Qadri, who acknowledged Naik’s role in raising issues concerning the agricultural infrastructure sector, particularly the need to reduce interest rates on financing under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
Under Naik’s leadership, JKPICCA has been advocating for affordable institutional finance for agri-infrastructure projects, maintaining that the cost of borrowing has a direct bearing on the viability of cold-chain facilities, controlled-atmosphere storage units and other post-harvest infrastructure.
The association has been engaging with financial institutions and concerned authorities to highlight the need for a more supportive financing ecosystem for the sector.
The discussions also focused on strengthening support for farmers at the pre-harvest stage. Naik emphasised that strengthening the horticulture economy requires interventions at the orchard level and cannot rely solely on post-harvest infrastructure.
He called for the introduction of new schemes focused on pre-harvest activities, including modern orchard management, productivity enhancement, crop protection and other farmer-oriented interventions.
Speaking on the occasion, Naik thanked J&K Bank for the recognition and said it would further strengthen his resolve to work for the interests of farmers, entrepreneurs and the wider rural economy.
“The farmer must remain at the centre of every agricultural policy, from pre-harvest to post-harvest,” he said.
JKPICCA expressed its appreciation to J&K Bank and Qadri for recognising the association’s efforts and reiterated its commitment to working with financial institutions and the government towards strengthening agri-infrastructure, ensuring access to affordable finance, supporting farmers and promoting sustainable rural economic development in Jammu and Kashmir.
