SKUAST-K concludes weeklong capacity-building prog on rural enterprise dev

Srinagar, Aug 01: The Institute of Business and Policy Research (IBPR), Faculty of Horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), in collaboration with the Directorate of Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, concluded its one-week capacity-building programme titled “Strengthening Rural Enterprise Ecosystems through Rural Business and Service Hubs (RBSHs)”.The programme was held from July 28 to August 02, 2025, and brought together a diverse group of rural entrepreneurs, agri-preneurs, development professionals, and institutional stakeholders from across various districts, the SKUAST-K said in a statement issued here.The initiative aimed to enhance the managerial, operational, and digital capacities of stakeholders involved in Rural Business and Service Hubs, aligned with the vision of fostering sustainable rural enterprise development. Participants were engaged in activities to conceptualize and design localized enterprise solutions, create digital business profiles, and explore collaborations with government schemes and market players. Accommodation and hospitality arrangements were managed by IBPR to facilitate a comfortable and immersive learning environment for all outstation participants.The valedictory session featured enthusiastic participation and insightful discussions, reflecting on the learning journey and laying out future directions. Prof F. A. Shaheen, Programme Director and Professor at IBPR, delivered the opening remarks during the concluding ceremony. He emphasised the vital role of RBSHs as transformational platforms that can uplift local livelihoods and bridge the rural-urban divide by promoting scalable, inclusive, and sustainable enterprises.Prof Shaheen highlighted key topics covered during the week, including branding strategies, digital onboarding, financial management, rural value chain integration, and innovative service delivery models. He also praised the active engagement and enthusiasm of the trainees.Prof S. H. Baba, Head of the Institute of Business and Policy Research, lauded the programme for its practical approach and inclusive design. He underscored the increasing importance of rural entrepreneurship in policy and academic discussions. “The strength of our rural economy lies in its people,” he said. “Our aim is to empower communities with knowledge, tools, and networks so they can lead their own development.”The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr Farheen Naqash, Assistant Professor at IBPR and Organizing Secretary of the event. She expressed gratitude to the participants, faculty, resource persons, and logistical support teams, saying, “We are deeply grateful to our Chief Patron, Vice Chancellor Prof N. A. Ganai, and our Co-Patrons and collaborators for their unwavering guidance and support throughout the planning and execution of this programme.”She extended special appreciation to all trainers and domain experts for their valuable insights and to the support staff and project fellows whose efforts ensured smooth coordination throughout the week.