Srinagar, Nov 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated four key infrastructure facilities at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Kashmir, emphasizing the pivotal role of agricultural universities in addressing food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development challenges through practical solutions and farmer-centric innovation.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted that agricultural universities serve as unique institutions capable of transforming national food security concerns and aspirations into tangible outcomes. The newly inaugurated facilities collectively represent a comprehensive vision for advancing smart agriculture and rural progress.
Among the inaugurated facilities was a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT)-based irrigation and fertigation system. This system is designed to precisely deliver the required quantity of water and nutrients to crops at optimal times, offering significant potential to aid small and marginal farmers by reducing labor-intensive irrigation methods and reliance on conventional energy sources.
The Prototype Design and Development Centre was also inaugurated, intended to facilitate the translation of innovative concepts into practical agricultural tools and technologies. The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that this center will promote agricultural mechanization and effectively bridge the gap between laboratory research and field-level application.
Underscoring the importance of entrepreneurship, the establishment of the Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship was described as a transformative initiative. The Lieutenant Governor encouraged students to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in fields such as seed testing, cold-chain management, and soil health services, thereby becoming job creators. He urged the university to develop this directorate into a platform offering mentoring, guidance, and assistance for young entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir to access capital.
Additionally, the Health and Wellness Centre was inaugurated, marking an important enhancement to the university’s infrastructure aimed at supporting the well-being of its students and faculty members.
The Lieutenant Governor called for sustained action, urging SKUAST-Kashmir to implement the new irrigation technology in villages within the next year and to actively involve farmers in its ongoing refinement. He stressed the necessity of converting data collected through sensors into easily understandable agricultural advisories in local languages, to be disseminated to farmers via digital platforms.
Further, the university was encouraged to foster the establishment of at least 100 student-led startups and to strengthen collaboration among laboratories, cooperative societies, farmer-producer organizations, and farmers. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized placing youth and women farmers at the core of all future programs.
“We must make data and technology partners of the farmer. Our goal should be to establish at least 100 student-led enterprises and startups from the SKUAST-Kashmir campus within the coming year,” he stated. “The University must become a strong bridge between laboratories and cooperative societies, between farmer-producer organisations, and between researchers and small and marginal farmers. I want youth and women farmers to be at the centre of every programme.”
Addressing the escalating challenges of climate change, the Lieutenant Governor urged the university to embed sustainable development and environmental stewardship into its core identity. He emphasized that the true measure of progress is reflected in improvements to farmers’ incomes, the enhancement of their economic security, and the expansion of opportunities within rural areas.
“The identity of Jammu Kashmir lies in its hardworking farmers, artisans, and its rich traditions of agriculture, horticulture, and handicrafts. HADP’s projects and farmer-centric policies in the past 6 years have played an important role in strengthening Jammu Kashmir’s rural economy and creating new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship among youth,” he remarked. “The real success of any modern technology or modern tools will come only when their benefits reach the small farmers in villages and bring about a real increase in their incomes. I believe that the greatest test of any change is how much positive difference it makes in a farmer’s life. The true measure of our progress should be the rising income of farmers, their economic security, a better future for their families, and the new opportunities emerging in rural areas.”
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor released a coffee table book chronicling the achievements and institutional journey of SKUAST-Kashmir. A Multi-Tier Data Management and Accreditation Workflow System, designed to bolster institutional data management and accreditation processes, was also launched.
Among those present at the inauguration ceremony were Javid Ahmad Dar, Minister for Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperatives; Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir; Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, Director, SKIMS; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar SKUAST-K; along with Heads of Departments, senior officials, faculty members, and students.
The Chenab Times News Desk
