Srinagar, March 22: The Advanced Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme on “Crop Diversification through Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Rainfed Areas for Doubling Farmers’ Income” concluded Saturday at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Branch Lab, Srinagar.
The seven-day initiative aimed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs with the expertise and skills needed to explore crop diversification, particularly through medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), to enhance agricultural income. The valedictory function was presided over by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM Jammu, who congratulated the participants on successfully completing the programme. In his address, Dr Ahmed underscored the crucial role of entrepreneurship in today’s economy, urging attendees to embrace innovation and enterprise rather than relying solely on government employment. He encouraged them to collaborate with CSIR-IIIM’s incubation centres and highlighted the potential of MAPs in transforming the agricultural sector. The programme featured expert lectures, interactive sessions, and success stories from seasoned entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and government officials. Participants engaged in discussions on marketing strategies, high-value crop cultivation, value addition, beekeeping, agro-energy, waste management and biomass production. Throughout the week, they also gained first-hand exposure by meeting successful business enterprises in the aromatic and medicinal plant sector, mushroom growers, and honey producers, learning about their business models. On the final day, Dr G.S. Naqash, former Director of Floriculture and Horticulture, shared insights into entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors, stressing that crop diversification has paved the way for numerous start-ups and agri-business ventures.
Dr Sartaj Shah, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, outlined various government schemes under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), urging participants to leverage these opportunities. The programme, coordinated by Dr Nasir-Ul-Rashid, culminated in a certificate distribution ceremony, where 24 participants from across the country were recognised for their successful completion of the training. Participants praised the initiative, particularly valuing their interactions with successful entrepreneurs, and expressed confidence in applying their newly acquired knowledge to drive innovation and sustainability in agriculture.
