SKUAST-K student innovators bag 2 positions in ‘All India Agri Startup Conclave’

Srinagar, Oct 22: Two innovator students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir have won the first and second position at the All India Agri Startup Conclave, 2022 held at Bagalkot, Karnataka.
An official of SKUAST-K said the varsity was the only agricultural university with its three teams selected for finals. 13 national business idea teams were shortlisted among hundreds of startup ideas across India during the event held from October 18-20, 2022. There were two categories Oral Business Idea Presentation and Idea Hackathon.
SKUAST Kashmir students comprising Owais Ali Wani, Rafiya Mushtaq and Muskaan Un Nisa along with Coordinator Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, SKUAST-K Naveed Hamid competed with top young minds of the nation during the three-day convention held at Bagalkot.
All three SKUAST-K innovators were hailed by jury members for their innovative sense and ideas and they appreciated their mentors for grooming them.
SKUAST Kashmir innovator, Rafiya Mushtaq was adjudged as the first topper in Oral Business Presentation among 19 shortlisted candidates and second topper in Idea Hackathon winning a cash prize of Rs 20,000 and certificate of merit from DG Manager Hyderabad, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka Agri University and University of Horticulture Sciences Bagalkot and Ex Vice Chancellor UAS Dharwad.
Rafiya, a Ph.D. scholar from SKUAST-K, has developed an automated apple pruner. Owais has developed a machine to turn waste into different bi-products.
Similarly, Muskaan, a forestry graduate, has developed a concept to use forest waste (pine needles), a waste product and turn it into organic fertilizer.
The convention was attended by eminent industrialists, academicians, entrepreneurs and young startup founders.
Naveed was also felicitated by VC UHS Bagalkot and PI NAHEP Bagalkot for mentoring and motivating the SKUAST- K student innovators to come all the way from 3000 km to Bagalkot to compete and be the primary reflectors of conclave.
The Agriculture Minister of Karnataka and DDG ICAR who were present at the award ceremony also praised SKUAST-K for its approach towards innovations and entrepreneurship.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai has hailed the young innovators for their grand success and for making the university proud at the national level. OSD to Vice Chancellor and Co-PI NAHEP, Prof Azmat Alam Khan also congratulated the innovators.