SKUAST-Jammu As A Centre of Agricultural Excellence

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir UT Manoj Sinha while speaking at the 8th Convocation of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST)-Jammu said that the university must work for making the institution as the Centre of Excellence in Agriculture. He applauded the efforts of the scientists, teachers, scholars and students for working to make the economic well-being of the farmers a reality. Underlining the role for the university. He stressed that for modern Jammu and Kashmir expertise in climate technology and food processing is the imperative. Appreciating the holistic work of the university in various domains ranging from extension to academics and from veterinary to start ups. He  said that the university is marching to empower the farmers  with comprehensive innovation. SKUAST –Jammu has been creating new avenues for the Agri Business innovators having multi -disciplinary approach under RKVY –RAFTAAR in the Division of Agricultural Economics & Agri Business Management(AE & ABM).Sinha gave the picture of J & K farmers in the national agricultural scene. He credited the university for empowering farmers but said that new areas of research have to be identified  for their benefit. Highlighting the efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi   for the bright future of agriculture and agricultural reforms in India. He said that 2023 was declared as the year of the millets  to create international market for the farmers. As such there is an ample scope for the  contribution to Viksit Bharat through agriculture.Manoj sinha’s message for the students was blended with Upanishadic wisdom of India. Through which he conveyed to the students who were awarded degrees in the convocation that convocation is not meant to award degrees only but to set the students  for a new journey in life. It is meant to use the knowledge for the progress of the society. He advised the students to keep the curiosity alive and use that curiosity for the nation building. Appreciating the SKUAST-Jammu for creating women leaders in agricultural sciences and setting new bench marks in women empowerment. He said this while recognising merit of the girl students. In this year’s convocation 10 out of 11 gold medals were awarded to the female students for their outstanding merit. He also underlined the constraints under which the university has marched ahead. He assured the support to SKUAST-Jammu for overcoming the limitations.From the 8th convocation of the SKUAST – Jammu it is clear that the agricultural research has secured new heights keeping in view the challenges at the national level. Now the time has come to approach agricultural sciences as the anchor of the national well-being. Manoj Sinha in the capacity of the Chancellor of the university has rightly pointed out the areas that need to be worked upon. He explained the agricultural progress of Netherland. Where  agriculture has made new strides in terms of technological gains. There is a need to factor in such case studies to develop new models of agricultural growth. So that the co creation and collaboration between the farmers and scientists shapes the future of agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir. It is clear  that Lieutenant Governor is well sensitised about the challenges to the agricultural research in Jammu and Kashmir. It will surely help to develop SKUAST-Jammu as the centre of agricultural excellence with a thrust on multi-disciplinary approach.