Under HADP-04: SKUAST-K charts new path for rural transformation through Federation of RBSHs
Srinagar, Nov 3: Institute of Business and Policy Research (IBPR), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), kick-started a two-day inception workshop on “Federation Ecosystem for Rural Business and Service Hubs (RBSHs)” under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP-04) from November 3-4, 2025 at the University’s Shalimar Campus, said a press release.
The workshop was inaugurated by Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing and saw presence of Prof Shabir A Wani, former Director, Planning and Monitoring, SKUAST-K . The event brought together a diverse group of experts, academicians, field officers, and representatives from emerging RBSHs across Kashmir to deliberate on building a robust, federated ecosystem to accelerate rural enterprise development and agri-business transformation, said an official release.
Prof Farhat Ahmad Shaheen, Head, IBPR, and Principal Investigator, HADP# 04, emphasised that the Federation of RBSHs will act as a backbone for decentralized rural development, bridging primary producers with markets, services, and value networks. Presenting the Federation Framework Model, Prof. Shaheen outlined a hub-and-spoke approach to connect individual RBSHs with sectoral experts, agri-input manufacturing firms, digital service providers, and academic institutions to enhance efficiency and market outreach.
Prof. Shabir A. Wani, in his remarks, lauded IBPR’s vision and leadership in conceptualizing the Federation Model as a scalable and replicable pathway for sustainable rural growth. He emphasized the need for evidence-based planning, integrated development strategies, and long-term sustainability models to empower RBSHs as self-sustaining, dynamic rural enterprises.
Ghulam Jeelani Zargar underscored the transformative potential of RBSHs in reshaping the rural economy by enabling last-mile delivery of agricultural services, technology, and business solutions. Dr. Abid Sultan, Scientist, IBPR, and Workshop Coordinator, presented the detailed structure of the workshop, highlighting the thematic sessions on Federation Governance, Business Mapping, Knowledge Integration, and Capacity Building Strategies, and delivered the formal vote of thanks. Aiman Fayaz, Young Professional, HADP-04, coordinated the workshop proceedings.
The workshop reflected IBPR SKUAST-K’s strong commitment to transforming the agricultural marketing ecosystem by fostering innovation, integration, and rural enterprise development. It reaffirmed the institute’s vision of building a federated, market-led, and technology-driven rural economy under the HADP framework.
