J&K Bank hosts workshop on e-NWR financing to strengthen agri-value chain

Srinagar, Sep 17: In a bid to promote innovative financing solutions and improve agricultural supply chain infrastructure, J&K Bank today organised a one-day workshop on financing against *Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs)* at its Corporate Headquarters in Srinagar.

Held in collaboration with the Warehouse Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) and National E-Repository Limited (NERL), the event witnessed significant participation from farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), CA store owners, and warehouse operators.

Additional Chief Secretary (J&K) Shailendra Kumar was the Chief Guest, while the Bank’s MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee attended as Guest of Honour. WDRA Member Shanti Lal Jain was Special Guest on the occasion. Senior officials from J&K Bank, WDRA, NERL, and Central Repository entities were also present.

In his address, Shailendra Kumar underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing agricultural infrastructure. He said, “The present capacity of CA stores in Kashmir stands at around four lakh metric tonnes. Our plan is to increase this to ten lakh metric tonnes over the next five years. We encourage entrepreneurs to establish such facilities in districts including Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam and Kulgam, thereby strengthening logistics and benefitting growers.”

Highlighting the low level of non-performing assets in agricultural credit across J&K, he observed that timely repayment by farmers was a positive sign. He further noted that better connectivity through roads and railways would soon transform the entire agri-value chain. Kumar also encouraged farmers to register on platforms such as eNAM and ONDC for seamless market linkages.

Expressing gratitude, J&K Bank’s MD & CEO Amitava Chatterjee said, “Getting CA stores in Kashmir registered with WDRA has been a formidable task. Our senior management has worked diligently to make this facility—first of its kind in J&K—available to farmers and stakeholders.” Stressing awareness as the key to success of the product, he assured that interest rates for financing against e-NWRs could be revisited as volumes grow.

WDRA Member Shanti Lal Jain shared insights into the regulator’s journey in building a digital ecosystem to benefit all stakeholders. Earlier, General Manager Rakesh Magotra said the Bank was aligning its credit initiatives with evolving needs of the agricultural sector to help farmers secure fair prices and sustainable livelihoods.

The event also featured presentations on the structure, registration process, and trading mechanism of e-NWRs. Certificates of registration were awarded to three newly registered warehouses, and a farmer who became the first to register on NERL and avail a loan under the new scheme was felicitated.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by DGM Aneet Kanwal Singh.