SRINAGAR: Seven out of eight gold medals at the 9th Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, were awarded to female students. Of the 35 Certificates of Merit conferred in PhD and Post-Graduate categories, an overwhelming 32 went to women.
Addressing the convocation ceremony, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha lauded the exceptional achievements of women scholars, calling it a powerful symbol of the rising influence of Nari Shakti in the agriculture and allied sectors. “I am extremely proud… this is a testament to women-led development and their growing role in innovation for sustainable agriculture,” he stated.
A total of 446 degrees were awarded during the event, including 157 Master’s, 46 Doctorates, and 243 Undergraduate degrees. The Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ex-Situ Gene Bank, making SKUAST-Jammu the third institution in India to host such a facility for preserving genetic resources outside their natural habitat.
Highlighting the importance of innovation in the agri-sector, LG Sinha stressed the need for a robust modern technology ecosystem to enhance farmer incomes, mitigate risks, and foster stronger farmer-industry linkages. He called on the new generation of scientists and experts to focus on smart farming techniques, noting the revolutionary advancements in seed production, pest management, food processing, and mechanisation.
“Farmer welfare is the top priority of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said, noting that initiatives like the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) have started yielding visible improvements in farmers’ livelihoods.
The Lieutenant Governor also laid the foundation stone for a 200-bedded Farmers’ Hostel and a Faculty Building with shared academic facilities.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Shailendra Kumar, Vice Chancellor Dr B.N. Tripathi, members of the Board of Management and University Council, along with students, faculty, and dignitaries from across academic and legislative bodies.
