Srinagar: J&K Bank, in collaboration with the Warehouse Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) and National E-Repository Limited (NERL), organized a one-day workshop on financing against Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (eNWRs) at its Corporate Headquarters in Srinagar. The event aimed to promote innovative financing solutions and strengthen the agricultural supply chain in Jammu and Kashmir.
The workshop saw participation from farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), CA store owners, and warehouse operators. Additional Chief Secretary (J&K) Shailendra Kumar was the Chief Guest, while J&K Bank MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee attended as Guest of Honour. WDRA Member Shanti Lal Jain was the Special Guest. Senior officials from J&K Bank, WDRA, CCRL, and NERL also joined the proceedings.
In his address, Shailendra Kumar emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing agri-infrastructure. He announced plans to raise Kashmir’s Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage capacity from the current four lakh metric tonnes to 10 lakh metric tonnes in the next five years. He urged entrepreneurs to establish more facilities in districts such as Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, and Kulgam, adding that improved connectivity would soon transform the region’s agricultural value chain.
Highlighting the performance of agri-loans, Kumar noted that Jammu & Kashmir has “very low NPAs in agricultural credit,” a sign of farmers’ timely repayment. He also encouraged growers to register on platforms like eNAM and ONDC to benefit from digital trading opportunities.
Speaking at the event, Amitava Chatterjee expressed gratitude for the government’s support and lauded his team for getting CA stores registered with WDRA — a first for the region. He stressed the importance of awareness in ensuring the success of eNWR financing and assured that the Bank would explore lowering interest rates as the scheme gains traction.
WDRA Member Shanti Lal Jain underlined the authority’s ongoing efforts to expand the digital ecosystem for agriculture. Presentations were delivered by J&K Bank officials and NERL representatives, who explained the registration and operational processes of eNWRs.
On the occasion, certificates were handed over to three newly registered warehouses and to a farmer who became the first beneficiary under J&K Bank’s Finance against eNWR product.
Participants, including farmers and FPOs, engaged actively during the workshop and welcomed the initiative as a step toward improving market access and financial security in the agricultural sector.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by DGM Aneet Kanwal Singh.
