SRINAGAR: In a major boost to agricultural education and skill development in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has established a new Study Centre at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), activating 19 agriculture-based academic programmes from the July 2026 admission cycle.
The new centre has been set up by IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, and Dr AH Rizvi, Regional Director of IGNOU Srinagar, with approval from Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU.
The initiative comes in response to a long-standing demand from stakeholders seeking greater access to specialised agricultural education through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode.
According to officials, the Study Centre will offer a diverse portfolio of programmes from IGNOU’s School of Agriculture, enabling students, agricultural professionals, entrepreneurs and rural youth to pursue higher education and skill-based training without relocating from their home districts.
The centre is expected to strengthen agricultural education in the Union Territory by promoting sustainable farming practices, enhancing technical knowledge and improving employability in agriculture and allied sectors. Students enrolled in the programmes will receive academic counselling, learner support services, practical training and expert guidance through a collaborative framework involving both institutions.
Admissions for the July 2026 cycle are currently underway. The programmes activated at the centre include Master of Science in Food Safety and Quality Management, MBA in Agribusiness Management, Post-Graduate Diplomas in Food Safety and Quality Management and Agribusiness, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy.
The academic offerings also include a Bachelor of Science in Food Safety and Quality Management, along with diploma programmes in Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables, Meat Technology, Watershed Management, Horticulture, Agricultural Cost Management and Dairy Technology.
Several certificate programmes have also been introduced, including courses in Beekeeping, Organic Farming, Poultry Farming, Water Harvesting and Management, and Sericulture, besides an Awareness Programme on Dairy Farming.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rizvi said the collaboration would contribute significantly to capacity building and human resource development by providing flexible and affordable educational opportunities to students from both urban and rural areas.
Prof Ganai welcomed the establishment of the centre at SKUAST-K and expressed hope that it would widen educational opportunities in the agriculture sector. Registrar Prof. Azmat Alam Khan assured full infrastructural support for the functioning of the centre.
The establishment process was coordinated by Prof. Mohd. Altaf Bhat, Director Education at SKUAST-K, while Prof. Vijayakumar P played a key role from the IGNOU headquarters.
Dr Rohitashw Kumar, Associate Dean and Professor at SKUAST-K, has been appointed as the first Coordinator of Learner Support Centre-30041. He said efforts would be made to promote the programmes extensively and ensure quality educational support for learners.
Prospective students have been advised to visit the IGNOU admission portal or contact the IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar and the Coordinator at the SKUAST-K Shalimar campus for further details regarding admissions and programme eligibility.
