JKPICCA president Bashir Ahmad Naik felicitated by J&K Bank for agri-infrastructure initiatives

Srinagar, October 8: J&K Bank has felicitated Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetables Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) President Bashir Ahmad Naik in recognition of his efforts towards strengthening agri-infrastructure and rural economic development in Jammu & 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 for lower interest rates under the Agri Infrastructure Fund.

JKPICCA, under Naik’s leadership, has been advocating affordable institutional finance for projects such as cold-chain facilities, controlled-atmosphere storage and other agricultural infrastructure. The association has maintained that the cost of borrowing has a direct bearing on the viability and expansion of such projects.

The interaction also focused on strengthening support for farmers at the pre-harvest stage. Naik stressed that strengthening the horticulture economy requires interventions at the orchard level in addition to post-harvest infrastructure.

The association said efforts would now be made towards introducing 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 efforts to work for farmers, entrepreneurs and the wider rural economy.

“The farmer must remain at the centre of every agricultural policy, from pre-harvest to post-harvest,” Naik said.

JKPICCA expressed 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 on agri-infrastructure, affordable finance, farmer support and sustainable rural economic development in Jammu & Kashmir.