SKUAST-K conducts ‘64th Research Council Meeting’

Srinagar, Dec 16: SKUAST-Kashmir Friday conducted its 64th Research Council Meeting.
The meeting is held twice a year to discuss and deliberate upon the Research programmes of the University.
The 64th Research Council Meeting assumes importance in light of the comprehensive Policy for Holistic Development of Agriculture in the UT of J&K being developed by Agricultural Production Department.
The Meeting was chaired by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K and attended by Atal Dulloo Financial Commissioner/Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Dr. N.S. Rathore former Vice-Chancellor MPUAT. Udaipur Rajasthan as expert member, Directors and Deans of University, Heads of Development Departments of Agriculture and allied fields, HODs of subject Matter Divisions of SKUAST, Scientists and the representatives of farmers and agro-industries.
Prof. Sarfaraz Wani, Director Research presented on overview of Research activities during 2022 and the R&D issues identified and the strategies proposed to address the issues. Overview of 29 projects approved by UT level Apex committee was also presented.
Dr. N.S. Rathore, Former Vice-Chancellor MPUAT and DDG Education ICAR highlighted the need for research in frontier areas, good agricultural practices, innovations and digital technology with a human touch. He expressed concern about depletion of soil, natural resources and bio-diversity.
Sh. Atal Dulloo in his remarks appreciated the role of farm Universities in development of DPRs for holistic development of agriculture. He highlighted certain projects that are central to development of agriculture and allied structure that includes strengthening the seed multiplication chain, promotion of niche crops, farm mechanisation, marketing strategies, processing and value addition and innovative extension approach.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir A. Ganai SKUAST-K in his remarks highlighted the paradigm shift in approach towards organizing Agricultural Research wherein Farm Universities and Development departments together will plan and execute the Research and Development Programmes. He stressed upon reducing the production cost through better resource and water use efficiency, mechanisation automation and deployment of other smart solutions.
He also highlighted the need of processing and value addition to increase the returns from Agriculture and allied activities.
Later during the day various projects approved by APEX Committee were discussed and deliberated upon and strategies for effective implementation and monitoring of projects were proposed.
ENSURE
Sowing entrepreneurship seeds at school-level will boost start-up ecosystem: Dir JKEDI
Pulwama, Dec 16: Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) today organized an Entrepreneurship Orientation Programme (EOP) for the students of Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS), Pampore.
The programme was organized by JKEDI as part of its efforts to create mass awareness among the educated youth of J&K, especially in the school going students about the scope for entrepreneurship and self-employment across various sectors.
“JKEDI is committed to create a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem and I believe that strategic interventions among the young students of the Union Territory will provide benefits in future”, said Director, JKEDI, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat. “We will continue to organize such short term training and orientation programs for the youth across the UT, including the remote and tribal area”, he further added.
Senior faculty members of JKEDI coordinated the event and spoke about various activities and initiatives of the Institute. Dr. Nyla Khanday, In Charge, Centre for Women Entrepreneurship, gave a detailed presentation about the Institute and its role. She enumerated different opportunities available to the youth and also spoke about the importance of entrepreneurship and its challenges.
Imtiyaz Ahad Malla, Associate Project Manager, JKEDI discussed opportunities available under the J&K Startup Policy. In an elaborate presentation, he spoke about the help provided by the Government for aspiring entrepreneurs. Faculty members of JKEDI, Dr. Sameer Jan and Agha Wahid also spoke on the occasion and apprised the students about the challenges and charms of entrepreneurship.
The program provided an insight into the world of entrepreneurship to the participating students and acknowledged the fact that there is a need to mould young minds towards entrepreneurship. Educational institutions including schools and colleges are the best places to induce positive mindset change towards choosing entrepreneurship as a viable career option.
Later, the students also visited various facilities available at the Institute including the incubation centre. They were also apprised about benefits to the startups registered under the J&K Startup Policy. The students were accompanied by the teachers of the school.