Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, IT, Science & Technology, and Transport, Satish Sharma, reaffirmed the government's commitment to revolutionize Jammu and Kashmir’s agriculture sector through science, technology, and innovation.
He was speaking at a high-level Stakeholders Meet on Strengthening the Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Ecosystem in Kashmir, organized by PI-RAHI, Northern Region S&T Cluster in collaboration with the J&K Science & Technology Council and SKUAST-Kashmir.
The event saw participation from Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Secretary S&T Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Advisor PI-RAHI Jatinder Kour Arora, Additional Director JKSTIC Dr. Nasir Shah, senior scientists, scholars, and progressive farmers.
Invoking Sheikh Abdullah’s land-to-the-tiller reforms, Sharma said the focus now is on a similar transformation through smart technologies. “Our farmers must evolve from passive beneficiaries to active participants in innovation,” he said.
Under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s leadership, the minister outlined a comprehensive agenda focused on:
Sharma also launched four new start-ups by SKUAST-K innovators, reflecting strong government backing for youth-led agri-tech entrepreneurship. “Our youth are brilliant minds—they just need the right environment to grow,” he added.
Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganai highlighted SKUAST-K’s efforts to build a vibrant agri-tech ecosystem aimed at boosting yields, improving incomes, and enhancing employability.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary emphasized the need to bridge the government-academia gap and proposed institutional scholarships for young innovators.
Earlier, the Minister visited SKUAST-K’s campus, interacted with students and innovators, and reviewed ongoing research on sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.