SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the Joint Session of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Indian Agricultural Universities Association at the Shalimar Campus of SKUAST-Kashmir on Thursday.
The session witnessed the presence of Vice Chancellors from various universities, experts from India, and young leaders from 9 countries. The discussions primarily centered around redefining agricultural education to encompass leadership, entrepreneurship, employment, and discovery.
In his address, Lt Governor highlighted the transformations taking place in the agriculture and allied sectors. He emphasised that the field of agricultural science and technology has been continuously evolving, with Agri 4.0 technology, its applications, and research pushing boundaries.
Lt Governor noted that Jammu and Kashmir’s Agriculture and allied sectors, fueled by the Holistic Agriculture Development Program, are offering abundant growth opportunities to farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
He extended his congratulations to the members of Agricultural Universities, Agri-Entrepreneurs, experts, faculty of SKUAST, and hardworking farmers for the robust growth in the sector.
Lt Governor praised the futuristic and courageous initiatives of Agricultural universities in leading the path to dynamic economic growth, fostering collaboration, and increasing global cooperation for the transformation of agricultural education and skill development.
He underlined the success of SKUAST in promoting Agricultural Education through international collaboration, contributing to policy making, and fostering entrepreneurship. He commended the experts and scientists in this sector for their exemplary work when provided with an enabling environment.
Highlighting the reforms introduced across sectors, the Lt Governor credited the progress to the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. He noted the significant developments in areas such as new highways, rural roads, agriculture, and industry 4.0 technology, signaling a qualitative change and substantial growth in every sector.
Lt Governor also presented valuable suggestions for a sustainable and commercially viable agriculture sector. He stressed the importance of focusing on commercial agriculture, bringing rural innovation into the mainstream, encouraging interdisciplinary approaches, inspiring youth for Integrated Farming, and transforming universities into hubs of future entrepreneurs.
During the event, the Lt Governor unveiled the Srinagar Declaration of the Indian Agricultural Universities Association, a Multi-institutional Memorandum of Understanding among all State Agricultural universities, as part of the educational reform program of SKUAST.
Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, also addressed the audience and shared insights on increasing global cooperation in the agriculture sector.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dr Nazir A Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir; Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department; Dr RC Agrawal, Deputy Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, along with senior officers, graced the occasion.
