Srinagar, Nov 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated several new facilities at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir), highlighting the role of academic institutions in developing practical solutions to major challenges.

Addressing the gathering, Sinha said a world-class university should be capable of turning a country's biggest challenges into effective and sustainable solutions.

The first facility inaugurated was a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT)-based irrigation and fertigation system. The technology is designed to assess crop requirements and deliver the appropriate quantity of water and nutrients directly to plant roots at the required time. The entire system operates on solar energy.

The Lieutenant Governor said the technology could provide considerable relief to farmers who often struggle to arrange water for their fields, including during night hours. Its solar-powered operation could also help reduce their dependence on conventional electricity.

The second facility is a Prototype Design and Development Centre aimed at strengthening agricultural mechanisation. It will help bridge the gap between laboratory-based research, prototype development and practical application in the fields.

Sinha expressed hope that students and researchers at SKUAST-Kashmir would use the centre to develop tools and equipment suited to the specific needs of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, with the potential to benefit agriculture beyond the region.

He also inaugurated the SKUAST Incubation and Extension Directorate, describing it as an important initiative to expand opportunities for agricultural science graduates.

Observing that career options for agriculture graduates had traditionally remained limited, Sinha said the university had undergone significant changes in recent years. He expressed hope that the new directorate would encourage young graduates to establish their own enterprises.

He urged students to explore opportunities in areas such as seed testing, cold-chain-based startups and smart agricultural services.

The Lieutenant Governor said such ventures could help graduates build sustainable livelihoods while creating additional employment opportunities for other young people in Jammu and Kashmir.