SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to implement the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) in a mission mode, calling for the appointment of a dedicated Mission Director to ensure focused execution, real-time monitoring and swift resolution of operational challenges.
In a statement, the industry body described HADP as one of the most comprehensive and visionary interventions in Jammu and Kashmir’s agrarian economy, aimed at transforming traditional farming into a modern, enterprise-driven sector. It said the programme, though still in its early stages, requires clear direction, mission-driven leadership and assured financial backing to achieve its intended outcomes.
FCIK lauded the architects and policymakers behind HADP and expressed confidence that under the stewardship of the Chief Minister, the initiative could be guided towards sustainable and long-term success.
According to the Chamber, effective implementation of HADP has the potential to significantly transform rural livelihoods by turning farmers into agripreneurs, improving self-sufficiency and reducing the Union Territory’s dependence on imports. It noted that the programme could also help correct the region’s trade imbalance by retaining capital within JK.
From an industry perspective, FCIK said HADP should not be viewed merely as an agricultural support scheme but as a broader economic transformation programme. It argued that the initiative lays the groundwork for shifting agriculture from subsistence activity to organised, scalable agri-enterprises aligned with industrial growth, manufacturing expansion, employment generation and value addition under a “Make in JK” framework.
The Chamber stated that HADP redefines agriculture as an enterprise ecosystem by structuring various segments around bankable and revenue-generating business models. Such a transition, it said, would ensure a steady supply of quality raw material for agro-processing, food processing and allied industries, strengthening both upstream and downstream linkages.
FCIK further highlighted that the programme promotes formal registration of units, institutional credit linkages, insurance coverage and end-to-end value chain integration. These measures, it said, would help formalise agricultural activity and create sustainable and dignified employment opportunities, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Expressing concern over Jammu and Kashmir’s continued dependence on imports of poultry, milk, livestock products, vegetables, spices, seeds and processed agri-goods, the Chamber said HADP could progressively substitute these imports if fully supported and uniformly implemented, thereby strengthening local supply chains and improving economic resilience.
The federation also pointed out that the programme provides a foundation for the growth of agro-based manufacturing sectors such as food processing, cold storage, warehousing, logistics, packaging, branding and marketing. Over time, this ecosystem could expand the agro-industrial landscape of the region and create synergies with MSMEs, industrial estates and export-oriented units.
FCIK emphasised that HADP opens structured opportunities for private sector participation, including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, processors, manufacturers, input suppliers and service providers, which it said is essential for achieving scale, efficiency and long-term sustainability.
The Chamber informed that it had raised the demand for mission-mode implementation of HADP during pre-budget consultations with the Chief Minister and incorporated it into its recommendations for the renewed industrial policy.
It stressed that the programme’s success depends on adequate and predictable budgetary support, timely release of funds, seamless institutional credit access and convergence with industrial policy, MSME development initiatives and export promotion frameworks.
Reiterating its key demand, FCIK said appointing a full-time Mission Director with defined authority and accountability would enable faster decision-making, better inter-departmental coordination and effective handling of initial challenges.
The forthcoming budget, the Chamber added, presents a critical opportunity to reinforce the flagship initiative and translate its vision into measurable and long-term economic outcomes, positioning agriculture as a driver of rural industrialisation, enterprise creation and inclusive growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
