Underscores the importance of such initiatives in boosting confidence, promoting socialinteraction and ensuring overall development of CWSN students
GANDERBAL, MARCH 25: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore today flagged off a district-level exposure visit for Children With Special Needs (CWSN) from Mini-Secretariat Ganderbal.
The exposure visit has been organised under Samagra Shiksha by the Education Department as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive education and provide meaningful learning opportunities to CWSN students.
A total of 32 students, accompanied by 12 teachers, are participating in the visit to Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama.
The visit aims to provide experiential learning by exposing students to diverse academic and practical environments. During the programme, students will explore laboratories, libraries, cattle farms and various entrepreneurship units within the university campus, enabling them to learn beyond classrooms in an interactive and supportive setting.
On the occasion, the DC interacted with the students and accompanying staff and underscored the importance of such initiatives in boosting confidence, promoting social interaction and ensuring overall development of children with special needs. He appreciated the efforts of the education department in organising the programme and ensuring inclusive participation.
Chief Education Officer Ganderbal, Principal Govt. Boys Hr. Sec. School Ganderbal, and other officers and officials from the education department, teachers, and parents were present during the flag-off ceremony.
No:-PR/DDI/K/25/4792/
Agro & Food Fest 2026, ODOP–DEH Fest 2026 culminate at SKICC
Showcase J&K’s expanding Export Potential
SRINAGAR, MARCH 25: Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) successfully organized Agro & Food Fest 2026 – 02-days International Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) and ODOP–DEH Fest 2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, which culminated today.
Under the leadership and vision of Chief Minister J&K, the events were organized in collaboration with key national and international stakeholders. The two-day flagship event marked a significant step toward strengthening market linkages and positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a global sourcing hub for premium and niche products.
The event brought together producers, artisans, entrepreneurs, exporters, national and international buyers, export promotion agencies, and government institutions under one platform. It was designed to facilitate meaningful business engagement through structured B2B and B2C interactions, exhibitions, and direct market access opportunities.
A major attraction of the event was the dedicated One District One Product (ODOP) Pavilion, where all 20 districts of Jammu & Kashmir showcased their unique, district-specific products. The pavilion highlighted the diversity and richness of the region’s agro, horticulture, handicraft, handloom, and food processing sectors, offering visitors and buyers a comprehensive view of J&K’s localized strengths and export-ready products. The initiative aligned with the vision of promoting district-level specialization and enhancing the branding and marketability of indigenous products.
The event was organized under the guidance of the Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, reflecting the department’s continued commitment to fostering a robust trade ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative is driven by a broader vision to strengthen export competitiveness, promote district-specific products under the ODOP framework, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities by integrating local producers with global value chains while ensuring inclusive and balanced economic growth across the Union Territory.
Managing Director, JKTPO, Sudershan Kumar, stated that the combined organization of Agro & Food Fest and ODOP–DEH Fest reflected a holistic approach toward trade promotion and market development. He underscored that the event aimed to bridge the gap between producers and buyers, reduce dependency on intermediaries, and create sustainable business linkages. He added that JKTPO is actively working to promote Jammu & Kashmir’s products in national and international markets through focused branding, export facilitation, and strategic partnerships.
With support from TPCI, the event fostered B2B linkages between 45 buyers from diverse international markets, including Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, among others and over 100 sellers from J&K. This strong global presence is poised to unlock new export opportunities and elevate the global footprint of Jammu & Kashmir’s products.
The event also featured dedicated district pavilions, export facilitation desks, advisory support, and curated B2B meetings, enabling stakeholders to explore new markets, understand consumer preferences, and build long-term partnerships. The participation of MSMEs, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives, women-led enterprises, startups, and agri-entrepreneurs further reflected the inclusive nature of the initiative.
Key focus sectors at the event included agriculture, horticulture, food processing, traditional and processed foods, handicrafts, handloom, and forest-based products. The fest aimed to promote innovation, sustainability, value addition, and improved product positioning to meet evolving global market demands.
In continuation to the previous International Buyer Seller Meet held in June 2025, the Agro & Food Fest 2026 and ODOP–DEH Fest 2026 is expected to generate significant business leads, enhance market access, strengthen buyer–seller linkages, and boost the overall economic ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmir. By bringing together trade, tradition, and technology, the event serves as a catalyst for export growth, rural development, and entrepreneurship.
The initiative reinforced the commitment of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to transform the Union Territory into a vibrant, export-oriented economy while preserving and promoting its unique cultural and economic heritage.
