Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir held a day-long workshop and brainstorming for establishing the Centre of Excellence on Rural Data Research & Analysis (RuDRA) at Shalimar campus. The collaborative initiative with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay aims to leverage data-driven insights to transform agriculture and rural life in Jammu & Kashmir.
The workshop was organised under the aegis of Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP). The event brought together leading experts from the IIT Bombay, university officers, faculty members and government officials from line departments to discuss the role of data in shaping rural policy and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
The collaboration between IIT Bombay and SKUAST-K, formalised through an MoU earlier this year, to establish the CoE RuDRA as a hub for promoting data-driven rural development. The centre will focus on a wide range of areas, including precision agriculture, climate change, soil health monitoring and water resource management. Beyond agriculture, its scope extends to critical aspects of rural life such as sanitation, public health, education and infrastructure.
The centre's work is designed to directly support HADP with the goal of enhancing agricultural productivity, improving rural livelihoods and creating a skilled workforce. The partnership will facilitate joint research, workshops, training programs, faculty exchange and student internships, providing students and stakeholders with hands-on experience in data analytics, GIS and remote sensing technologies.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who was the chief guest at the occasion, underscored the transformative potential of IIIT Bombay and SKUAST-K partnership and reiterated the university’s commitment to become a leader in innovation-driven agricultural research. He emphasized the need for a data driven approach for rural policy planning and transformation and stressed integrating technology with traditional farming knowledge to improve farmer livelihoods.
Dr Mohamed Kasim Khan, a Senior Research Scientist at IIT Mumbai, delved into the specifics of the MoU, explaining the operational framework and collaborative activities that will define the partnership. Dr Pennan Chinnasamy, the Professor in Charge of the RuDRA initiative at IIT Bombay, elaborated on the Center's vision and purpose of using data for the rural transformation. He articulated how the CoE-RuDRA will act as a pivotal resource for using data to tackle complex challenges, from precision agriculture to rural infrastructure and public health.
Director Research, Prof Haroon Rashid Naik, while presenting the vote of thanks, highlighted the Centre’s role in fostering innovative extension approaches and establishing a robust J&K Soil & Land Information System.
Later a brainstorming session, moderated by Dr Shabir A Bangroo, PI HADP Project 19, and Dr Mohamed Kasim Khan, was held which focused on the establishment and effective functioning of the CoE RuDRA. The session explored how to leverage the combined expertise of SKUAST-K and IIT Bombay to develop innovative, data-driven solutions tailored to the unique needs of the J&K region. Prof Irfan A Bisat conducted the proceedings of the workshop.
In recognition of their best contribution in applying geospatial science and technology to agriculture, IIT Mumbai presented awards to Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai under National Geospatial Awards 2025, Director Research, SKUAST-K, Prof Haroon R Naik, for his contribution to agricultural research, and Principal Secretary, APD, Shailendera Kumar as excellent administrator for implementation of agri-schemes, particularly HADP, in J&K.
