In a significant move for youth employment, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated new infrastructure and the Startup Outreach Programme at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, on August 21. The initiative aims to empower young entrepreneurs and innovators in the region’s growing agricultural sector.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the urgency of shifting employment aspirations among Jammu Kashmir’s youth. He stated that today’s generation increasingly seeks to create jobs rather than rely on traditional employment pathways.
“The true essence of a Self-Reliant Jammu Kashmir is that every young citizen should become an employer,” Sinha said, urging young minds to harness their abilities and talents in entrepreneurship.
Highlighted among the newly inaugurated facilities are the Unnati Girls Hostel, Centre for AI and ML in Agriculture, Centre for Mushroom Research and Innovation, Advanced Sericulture Laboratory, and the Centre for Digital Media and Publication. The Lieutenant Governor described these additions not merely as physical structures but as commitments to the region’s innovators and farming families.
The Lieutenant Governor drew attention to international models of technology-driven agriculture, citing examples from nations like the Netherlands and Israel. According to him, such innovative ecosystems demonstrate that agriculture and allied sectors represent a frontier for growth and development.
“Agriculture and allied sectors themselves are the next big frontier for innovation,” Sinha remarked, stressing the importance of understanding local challenges over merely copying foreign models. He encouraged students to evaluate their fields and climates to craft tailored solutions.
The Lieutenant Governor spotlighted the importance of diversification in agricultural practices. He urged young farmers to explore avenues like cold chains, grading units, regional branding, and digital marketplaces that can connect Jammu Kashmir’s products to larger markets beyond borders.
“No entrepreneurial revolution is possible without the active participation of women,” he asserted, calling for businesses led by women. He urged stakeholders to support Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) that enhance access to finance and markets, thereby empowering women in entrepreneurship.
Sinha highlighted the significance of the Startup Outreach Programme, designed to reach young farmers and villagers. He noted how solutions for farmer issues often arise from those who deeply understand these challenges.
SKUAST-Jammu has already selected over 150 students for idea incubation and has supported 56 promising startups. The Lieutenant Governor commended this progress, urging the university to further connect innovative ideas with market needs.
“Real success will not be measured by how many students graduate but by how many enterprises emerge and lives transform,” Sinha stated, challenging students to ask themselves daily what problems they can resolve and what value they can add to agriculture.
He reaffirmed his belief that Jammu Kashmir is poised for transformation, stating, “In the coming years, we will be recognized for innovation, agricultural entrepreneurship, science, and youth leadership.”
The event witnessed the felicitation of eight startups and rural enterprises for their contributions to the sector. Furthermore, Sinha released four publications aimed at promoting various agricultural policies and innovations.
Key figures present at the inauguration included Additional Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, Vice Chancellor Prof. B.N. Tripathi, and various scientists, entrepreneurs, and students of SKUAST-Jammu.