IFAD begins two-week supervision mission for JKCIP in J&K

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, July 2: A two-week supervision mission of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) commenced in Srinagar on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a comprehensive review of the project’s implementation across the Union Territory.

The mission, scheduled from July 2 to July 14, was inaugurated at the Mission Directorate of HADP/JKCIP in Rajbagh and will evaluate progress across all project components under the overall guidance of Mission Director, HADP/JKCIP, Dr. Sagar D. Doifode.

The visiting IFAD delegation is led by Shreekantha Shetty, Team Leader for Institutions and Monitoring & Evaluation, and includes specialists in agriculture, horticulture, value chains, agribusiness, climate and environmental safeguards, youth development, and project coordination. Marc de Sousa Shields, IFAD Country Director, is expected to join the mission during its concluding phase.

The inaugural session was attended by representatives of SKUAST-Kashmir and SKUAST-Jammu, directors of implementing departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries from both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, along with members of the Project Management Units. District-level officers participated virtually from across the Union Territory.

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Doifode outlined the project’s implementation journey and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, accountable and results-oriented review process.

In her opening remarks, Meera Mishra, IFAD Country Coordinator, highlighted the objectives of the supervision mission and appreciated the progress achieved by the project teams. The session also included a consolidated overview of JKCIP presented by Technical Officer Dr. Rizwan Qureshi, followed by detailed presentations on component-wise achievements and progress against key output and outcome indicators.

According to officials, the supervision mission will review compliance with recommendations made during previous IFAD missions, assess financial management and procurement processes, and evaluate safeguards and monitoring mechanisms.

From July 4 to July 6, two IFAD teams will undertake extensive field visits across 14 districts of Jammu & Kashmir. The Jammu division visits will cover Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Udhampur, while the Kashmir division itinerary includes Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Kupwara, Srinagar and Budgam.

During these visits, the teams will interact with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), horticulture and niche-crop growers, agri start-ups, youth clubs, pastoralist communities and vulnerable households supported under the project to assess the impact of interventions on the ground.

The mission will also hold consultations with line departments, both SKUAST universities, the Union Territory Level Bankers Committee, Mission Youth and private sector partners before finalising its findings.

The exercise will conclude with the preparation of an Aide Memoire and wrap-up meetings involving the Mission Director, JKCIP, the Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, and the Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir.

Supported by IFAD, the JKCIP seeks to enhance the competitiveness of agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu & Kashmir by promoting farmer collectivisation, supporting horticulture and niche crops, strengthening enterprises and market linkages, fostering agri start-ups, and extending targeted assistance to pastoralists, women and other vulnerable communities across the Union Territory.