Inaugurates four facilities at SKUAST-K; urges students to become entrepreneurs, sets target of 100 startups
Srinagar, Nov 11: Calling for expanded economic opportunities in rural areas, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that the true measure of development lies in improving farmers’ incomes, strengthening their economic security and creating better livelihood opportunities.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating four infrastructure facilities at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir, the LG said development must bring tangible improvements in the lives of farmers.
“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 and new opportunities emerging in rural areas,” he said.
Sinha said the identity of Jammu and Kashmir was rooted in its hardworking farmers, artisans and rich traditions of agriculture, horticulture and handicrafts. He observed that projects under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and farmer-centric policies had strengthened the rural economy and created employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth.
He stressed that modern technology would serve its real purpose only when its benefits reached small and marginal farmers and helped increase their incomes.
Highlighting the role of agricultural universities in addressing food security and sustainable agriculture, he said the four facilities inaugurated on the occasion reflected a comprehensive vision of smart agriculture and rural development.
FOUR FACILITIES INAUGURATED
The LG inaugurated a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT)-based irrigation and fertigation system designed to provide crops with water and nutrients in the required quantities and at the right time. He said it could benefit small and marginal farmers by reducing labour-intensive irrigation and dependence on conventional energy sources.
He also inaugurated the Prototype Design and Development Centre, which will help convert innovative ideas into practical agricultural tools, promote mechanisation and bridge the gap between laboratory research and field application.
The Health and Wellness Centre was also inaugurated to strengthen facilities for the well-being of students and faculty members.
100 STUDENT-LED STARTUPS
Describing the newly established Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship as a transformative initiative, Sinha urged students to become job creators rather than merely job seekers.
He encouraged them to explore ventures in seed testing, cold-chain management and soil health services, and asked the university to provide mentoring, guidance and assistance in accessing capital.
The LG called upon SKUAST-Kashmir to take the new irrigation technology to villages within the coming year and involve farmers in its improvement. He also stressed the need to convert sensor-generated data into simple agricultural advisories in local languages and deliver them through digital platforms.
Setting a target of at least 100 student-led startups within the coming year, he said the university must strengthen linkages between laboratories, cooperative societies, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) and farmers.
He emphasised that youth and women farmers should remain at the centre of future programmes and called for making sustainable development and environmental protection integral to agricultural advancement in view of the growing challenges of climate change.
On the occasion, the LG released a coffee table book highlighting the achievements and institutional journey of SKUAST-Kashmir. A Multi-Tier Data Management and Accreditation Workflow System was also launched to strengthen institutional data management and accreditation-related processes.