JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss a strategic collaboration between SKUAST Jammu and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for strengthening evidence-based policy-making and sustainable agricultural transformation in the Union Territory.

The meeting was attended by Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Shri Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu; Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director, IFPRI-South Asia; Dr. Anjani Kumar, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI-South Asia; Dr. Sagar Doifode Dattatray, Mission Director, HADP; HoDs, faculty of SKUAST Jammu and other senior officials.

The Lieutenant Governor welcomed the proposed collaboration with IFPRI, noting that its global expertise would significantly strengthen institutional capacities in the region. The meeting discussed the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Food Policy and Data Analytics at SKUAST-Jammu in collaboration with IFPRI. The proposed Centre is envisioned as a knowledge hub to support continuous monitoring, policy evaluation and data-driven decision making while also contributing to national and global discourse on agricultural transformation, particularly in mountain and high-value production systems.

Experts from IFPRI, including Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director, IFPRI-South Asia and Dr. Anjani Kumar, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI-South Asia, shared insights on institutional and technical support required for revitalizing agriculture and rural economies. During the meeting, Dr. Anjani Kumar presented a detailed presentation on “Institutional and Technical Supports for Revitalizing Agriculture and Rural Economies in Jammu & Kashmir.”

The deliberations also underscored the importance of convergence across key initiatives such as HADP, JKCIP and Mission YUVA with a focus on improving farmer incomes, generating employment, strengthening value chains and promoting inclusive growth, particularly for smallholders, women and youth.

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In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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