SKUAST-K Hosts Agri-Startup Awareness Program for Entrepreneurship Boost

The Faculty of Agriculture at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST-K) recently organized a one-day awareness program aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and enhancing the management of startups in agriculture and allied sectors. The event took place at KVK Kupwara and was conducted under the banner of SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (SKIIE) Centre, sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).

The primary objective of the program was to identify gaps within the startup ecosystem and formulate strategies to create a conducive environment for the expansion of successful agri-startups. SKUAST-K emphasized the importance of fostering new enterprises and instilling an entrepreneurial culture in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir.

In attendance were not only enthusiastic farmers but also esteemed guests, including Prof Raihana H Kanth, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Dr. Kaiser Malik, Programme Coordinator at KVK Kupwara. Faculty members from the Division of Agriculture Extension & Communication FoAWadura were also present.

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Dr. Quadri Javeed Ah Peer, in his welcoming address, highlighted the pivotal role of innovation and entrepreneurship in the advancement of the agricultural sector and its stakeholders. He emphasized the potential of startups in revolutionizing agriculture and addressing pressing challenges.

Prof. Raihana shared valuable insights with the farmers, underscoring the importance of skill-based training programs designed to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among young individuals. She stressed the significance of developing skills that would enable them to launch innovation-driven startups and business ventures. Prof. Raihana highlighted that startups not only generate employment opportunities but also have a profound socio-economic impact on the regions they operate in.

She further emphasized that agri-startups are adopting a pragmatic approach to innovation, directly addressing the real problems faced by farmers at the grassroots level. By doing so, they contribute to the overall growth and development of the agricultural sector, offering sustainable solutions and ushering in positive change.

The one-day awareness program served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, insights, and experiences in the field of agriculture entrepreneurship. It underscored the commitment of SKUAST-K to support and nurture agri-startups and pave the way for a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir.

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