CS reviews Pashmina Development Strategy, Focuses on Value Addition and Global Branding

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Aug 6 : Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired a review meeting of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board (LPDB) to assess the implementation status of the Changthang Pashmina Value Chain and review the progress of procurement, processing, branding and marketing of Ladakh Pashmina.

The meeting focused on strengthening the entire value chain from raw material procurement to the marketing of finished products, with emphasis on enhancing the income of Changpa herders and local entrepreneurs.

At the outset, officials presented the status of procurement and processing of raw pashmina, including raw material collection, payment to herders, willowing, dehairing yield, and the outcomes of recent buyer-seller meets organised to promote Ladakh Pashmina in domestic and international markets.

Reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary sought updates on the quantity of raw pashmina procured, segregation of raw fibre, processing capacity, supply for willowing and dehairing, and district-wise collection of raw material.

He directed the concerned departments to strengthen quality control mechanisms at every stage of the value chain to ensure that Ladakh Pashmina continues to meet the highest quality standards.

The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the recent buyer-seller meets held in Srinagar and Jammu, organised with the support of the Cooperative Department and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

To facilitate this process, the Chief Secretary directed that awareness workshops and training camps be organised for entrepreneurs, cooperatives and stakeholders on GI certification, branding and quality standards.

The meeting also featured an interaction with renowned designer Suket Dhir and LPDB Executive Member Akanksha Himatsingka, who shared their insights on design innovation, branding, product development and market positioning.

They emphasised the need to expose local entrepreneurs to global design trends, international markets and contemporary branding practices while preserving the authenticity and heritage of Ladakh Pashmina.

The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Himanshu Gupta; Administrative Secretary, Bhanu Prabha; Secretary, General Administration Department, Rudra P. T. Goud; Moses Kunzang, Consultant functioning as OSD (Special Projects); Akanksha Himatsingka, Executive Member, Ladakh Pashmina Development Board; renowned designer Suket Dhir; Director, Sheep Husbandry Department; Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Department; Assistant Director, Sheep Husbandry; local entrepreneurs; and senior officers of the concerned departments.