SKUAST-K has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prominent LuLu Group, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, aiming to establish a robust value chain for the export of Kashmiri products. This significant agreement was formally sealed during the World Food India 2023 expo at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the event, where 81 countries are actively participating.
The MoU signing ceremony witnessed the participation of SKUAST-K’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, and the CEO of LuLu Group’s Fair Exports India Division, Najimuddin Ibrahim. The primary objective of this collaboration is to foster mutual cooperation to support agricultural entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Kashmir by facilitating their access to global markets.
LuLu Group, in partnership with SKUAST-K, will play a pivotal role in enabling SHGs and FPOs to reach global markets with their agricultural products. Furthermore, LuLu Group will also assist in the placement of BTech Food Technology students from SKUAST-K.
Prof. Ganai emphasized that the central focus of this MoU is to establish a seamless value chain from farm to fork. SKUAST-K will provide essential services such as residue analysis and quality certification for the procurement of Kashmir-based products by LuLu Group, which are destined for import to various countries, particularly in the Gulf and other parts of the world.
It’s worth noting that SKUAST-K boasts state-of-the-art labs and cutting-edge technology for the analysis of residues and the quality assessment of fruits and various food items.
Najimuddin Ibrahim, the CEO of LuLu Group’s Fair Exports India Division, expressed his commitment to economic and agricultural development by enhancing market linkages within the region. He described the MoU as a testament to the dedication of both SKUAST-Kashmir and LuLu Group International towards this shared goal.
LuLu Group International is a distinguished Abu Dhabi-based conglomerate with an impressive annual turnover of US$ 8 billion. The group’s extensive operations span across 23 countries and encompass diverse sectors, including hypermarkets, shopping mall development, manufacturing, trade, hospitality, and real estate. The group has a significant presence in the import and trade sectors in GCC countries.
In 2022, LuLu Group joined forces with the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Government to establish a food processing and logistic hub in Kashmir.
In line with the terms of the MoU, SKUAST-K will also provide training and capacity-building programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of SHGs and FPOs. This will ensure that they align with international quality standards and compliance requirements. Additionally, SKUAST-K will collaborate with SHGs and FPOs to diversify their product range, expanding their access to a broader spectrum of international markets. Joint efforts will be directed towards maintaining the highest international quality and safety standards for their products.
