The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing has begun a week-long study tour of Srinagar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Shimla from Saturday to examine issues related to inland aquaculture, agricultural research, farmer compensation, dairy infrastructure and food processing sectors.The committee, headed by MP Charanjit Channi, will hold detailed discussions with representatives of central ministries, state governments, research institutions, banks and industry stakeholders during the visit, which concludes on June 4.Srinagar leg (May 30)The tour began in Srinagar on Saturday with informal discussions on “Development of Inland Aquaculture and Reservoir Fisheries: Promotion of Freshwater Aquaculture and Cluster-Based Development”. Representatives from the Department of Fisheries, NFDB, ICAR-Central Institute of Cold-Water Fisheries Research, NABARD and J&K administration are scheduled to participate.In the afternoon, the panel will take up “Unlocking the Potential of India’s Agri-Value Chains” with officials from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, NABARD, NCDC, APEDA and J&K Bank.Ludhiana halt (May 31–June 1)On Jattvibeday, the committee flies from Srinagar to Amritsar and, after visiting the Golden Temple, will leave for  Ludhiana. On Monday (June 1), members will visit Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, for on-the-spot assessment and discussions on “A Performance Review of all Government Funded Agricultural Research Institutes, Universities and ICAR”. Senior officials from DARE, Punjab Agriculture Department, PAU and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University will join the deliberations.Later in the day, the team will visit Verka Mohali Dairy on the way to Chandigarh, where it will stay for two nights.Chandigarh programme (June 2–3)On Tuesday, the committee will discuss “Compensation to Farmers including Tenant Farmers for Losses due to Natural Calamities and other Accidental Causes (Not just Fasal Bima Yojana)” with representatives of the Union Agriculture Ministry and the agriculture departments of Punjab and Haryana.An informal interaction with various agriculture sector stakeholders is also scheduled.On Wednesday, discussions will centre on “Milk Processing and Cold Chain Infrastructure – Review of Gaps and Regional Imbalances in Processing Capacity” with officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and their counterparts in Punjab and Haryana, before leaving for Shimla.Shimla wrap-up (June 4)On the final day in Shimla, the committee will hold two sessions — one on the “Scope for Development of Food Processing Industries in India with Special Reference to Infrastructure, Diversification and Ease of Doing Business” and another on “Effective Implementation of Policies and Programmes for benefit of Marginal Communities including SC/ST in Food Processing Sector”.Discussions will involve the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Himachal Pradesh government departments, HPMC and SLBC Himachal Pradesh.The study tour ends with dispersal from Shimla on Thursday evening.Officials said the visit is aimed at understanding ground realities, identifying policy gaps and suggesting measures to strengthen agricultural research, value chains, dairy infrastructure and food processing, with special focus on the north.