Srinagar, Nov 11: Addressing a gathering of farm researchers, faculty, and graduating students during the inauguration of newly developed academic and incubation infrastructure at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urged young agricultural graduates to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and emerge as job creators rather than job seekers.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a fundamental paradigm shift through the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), opening unprecedented commercial frontiers for agro-technologists. He urged students to take prototype concepts developed in university laboratories into the commercial marketplace, creating tailored, affordable solutions for regional orchardists and farming communities.
Highlighting high-potential sunrise segments within the rural economy, Sinha encouraged graduates to launch targeted agri-business enterprises in certified seed multiplication, high-density nursery management, cold-chain logistics, controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage solutions, and smart drone-assisted veterinary services. He noted that such forward-looking ventures not only secure lucrative self-employment for graduates but generate vital employment opportunities for local rural youth.
Praising SKUAST-K for transforming into an innovation-driven, nationally ranked agricultural university, Sinha stated that agricultural research institutions are the bedrock of food security and climate-resilient farming. He affirmed that the UT administration will continue providing institutional venture support and capital seed funding to ensure innovative student startups succeed on commercial scales.
Published by True Roots Media