Srinagar, Sept 10: Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, GoI, Neelam Shami Rao, today inaugurated the Animal Fiber Quality Assurance Laboratory housed in the Division of Livestock Products Technology at Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shuhama.
According to a statement issued here, the establishment of this laboratory addresses a long-standing demand from the public and trade professionals for a facility to ensure the quality and purity of animal fibers, including the highly prized Pashmina. This initiative aims to safeguard the interests of stakeholders and consumers by preventing the adulteration of fiber-based products, maintaining their reputation in the international market. The laboratory will also serve as a hub for skill-building among stakeholders, enhancing their capabilities and ensuring the continued excellence of Kashmir’s renowned animal fiber products.
Post inauguration, an Exhibition on Animal Fiber and its related industry was held at the premises of Veterinary Faculty showcasing the diverse products and technologies available in concerned sector and the progress made thereof. The stalls of different Govt. and Private Organisations along with other promising entrepreneurs showcased their range of products.
The Secretary congratulated the organizers for the work and assured all the support from Ministry for the development of woolen sector. She further showed a keen interest in listening to the problems directly from stakeholders and hoped the same would be addressed in due course of time.
Vice Chancellor in his address highlighted the achievements of University in general and Faculty in particular for development of Agri-allied sector in this region. He further threw light of the works of host Division (Livestock Products Technology) and its newly inaugurated laboratory and its futuristic plans of development as Centre of Excellence.
Later a Pashmina Stakeholders’ Meet was held at FVSc & AH to deliberate on key issues concerning the pashmina industry, with the objective of arriving at practical and sustainable solutions.
Dean, FVSc & AH, Prof. Riaz A Shah formally welcomed the dignitaries and other participants of stakeholder meet while Dr. Asif Hassan Sofi, briefed about different Divisional activities pertaining to development of Wool & Pashmina sector undertaken in recent times, depicted in the short video documentary presented to the audience.
