The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, inaugurated new infrastructure and a Startup Outreach Programme at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) on August 21. This initiative aims to boost agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship among the region’s youth.
At the inauguration event, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the evolving employment aspirations of today’s youth in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that they are increasingly inclined towards creating their own job opportunities instead of waiting for employment. Sinha described this shift as crucial for realizing a Self-Reliant Jammu and Kashmir.
“The true meaning of a Self-Reliant Jammu and Kashmir is where every young citizen can become an employer according to their talents and abilities,” LG Sinha remarked, urging the youth to think beyond traditional employment paths.
The newly inaugurated facilities at SKUAST-Jammu include the Unnati Girls Hostel, Centre for AI and ML in Agriculture, Centre for Mushroom Research and Innovation, and others. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that these additions are more than mere infrastructure; they symbolize a commitment to nurturing the region’s innovators and entrepreneurs.
The Lieutenant Governor also shared examples of global agricultural innovations, such as the dairy innovation hub in the Netherlands and Israel’s smart management techniques. He noted that these models reveal that agriculture represents the next big frontier for innovation globally.
While advocating for technology adoption, Sinha encouraged local youth to avoid merely replicating foreign models. Instead, he urged them to tailor their innovations to meet local challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding local fields, farmers, and climates.
“Today, startups worldwide are exploring new possibilities. Agriculture and allied sectors are the next major frontier for innovation,” he stated. He stressed the significance of customizing solutions to fit Jammu Kashmir’s unique agricultural landscape.
Moreover, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the necessity for inclusivity in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. He passionately advocated for increased participation of women in business, declaring, “No entrepreneurship revolution can be complete without the equal and active participation of women.”
Shri Sinha stated that empowering women-led enterprises is fundamental for strengthening the economy. He encouraged support for self-help groups and women entrepreneurs who can create employment opportunities for others.
The Startup Outreach Programme focuses on reaching out to farmers and youth in rural areas, introducing them to incubation, mentoring, and venture capital concepts. “The best solutions often come from those who have firsthand experience with their challenges,” remarked Sinha.
SKUAST-Jammu has already selected over 150 students for idea incubation and supported 56 promising startups, extending its outreach to even the remote corners of the Jammu region. Sinha praised these initiatives as remarkable beginnings and called on SKUAST-Jammu to elevate its impact further.
“The true success of SKUAST-Jammu will be measured by how many new ideas and enterprises arise here and how many lives are positively transformed as a result,” the Lieutenant Governor noted.
Sinha urged students to continuously ask themselves four critical questions during their time at SKUAST: what problem can I solve? What enterprise can I build? What value can I add to agriculture? How many families can benefit from my idea? This ideology encourages students to find the purpose of their careers.
Looking ahead, the LG expressed confidence that Jammu & Kashmir would gain recognition for its innovation, agricultural entrepreneurship, and youth leadership in coming years.
He concluded with an inspirational message, encouraging youth to embrace their roots, pursue knowledge, and leverage technology to carve new paths for success. “Do not let your circumstances limit your future,” he urged.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor also honored eight startups and cooperatives for their contributions to agricultural development. Additionally, he released four significant publications addressing various aspects of agricultural progress in the region.
Prominent figures present included Shri Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department; Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu; and various stakeholders from academia, startups, and the agricultural sector.
