Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated new infrastructure and a startup outreach programme at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, on August 21. This initiative aims to transform the agricultural landscape by fostering youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
Addressing a gathering of students, researchers, and farmers, Sinha emphasised the importance of self-reliance for the youth in Jammu & Kashmir. He stated, “Today’s youth increasingly aspire to create jobs rather than wait for employment opportunities.” Highlighting a commitment to a self-reliant Jammu & Kashmir, he expressed his vision of a region where every young citizen can become an employer based on their talent and ability.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor unveiled several new facilities at SKUAST, including the Unnati Girls Hostel, a Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Agriculture, and the Centre for Mushroom Research and Innovation. Sinha described these infrastructural enhancements as commitments to the innovators and farming families of the region.
The Lieutenant Governor cited international examples of successful agricultural innovation, such as Israel’s pioneering database management in agriculture and New Zealand’s digital advancements in animal husbandry. He conveyed that “agriculture and allied sectors represent the next significant frontier for innovation worldwide.”
Encouraging local adaptation, Sinha advised the youth to focus on identifying regional challenges rather than merely replicating foreign models. He stressed the need for innovators in Jammu & Kashmir to tailor solutions based on local fields, cultures, and climates.
He further elaborated on the shift in aspirations among today’s youth, stating, “Your degree is not your destination; it is simply a runway for your flight of success.” Students must leverage knowledge from SKUAST to foster innovative ideas and startups that could potentially create employment opportunities for others.
The call for inclusive growth resonated strongly in Sinha’s remarks regarding women’s participation in entrepreneurship, saying, “No entrepreneurship revolution can be complete without the equal and active participation of women.” He urged the community to support women’s self-help groups and enterprises, reinforcing that economic strength hinges on women’s active involvement.
Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor launched the Startup Outreach Programme, which aims to educate farmers and youth in remote villages about incubation, mentoring, and venture capital. He noted that “the most effective solutions to farmers’ problems often come from those who have experienced them firsthand.”
With more than 150 students selected for idea incubation and 56 startups already supported, the Lieutenant Governor encouraged SKUAST to further expand its outreach and bridge gaps between research and practical agricultural needs.
The vision of the institution extends beyond just education; Sinha asserted that “the true success of SKUAST will not be measured by degrees but by innovations and solutions developed here.” He motivated students to continuously ask themselves key questions about problem-solving, enterprise-building, and value addition in agriculture.
As the event concluded, Sinha reiterated the potential of Jammu & Kashmir to be recognised for its contribution to agricultural entrepreneurship and technological innovation in the coming years. He urged attendees to draw strength from their roots and pursue their goals without limitations.
The Lieutenant Governor also presented awards to eight startups, farmer producer organisations, and cooperatives for their significant contributions to agriculture and rural enterprise development. Various publications advocating for agricultural policies and innovations were also launched during the ceremony.
Shri Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, along with other dignitaries, were present to witness this momentous occasion. The initiatives unveiled at SKUAST represent an ongoing commitment to revolutionising Jammu’s agricultural sector and empowering its youth through entrepreneurship.
