Srinagar, May 2: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) today launched the Student Rural Exploration Program (SREP) under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP-20), marking a major step in integrating classroom learning with field-based agricultural practice.

The initiative, launched under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, saw over 3,000 students deployed across 300 university-adopted villages in the Kashmir Valley for immersive rural engagement and data-driven field exposure.
Describing the programme as a “transformational movement,” Prof. Ganai said SREP aims to build a strong bridge between science and society by placing students directly in rural settings. He said the initiative would generate real-time rural insights while empowering farming communities with modern agricultural knowledge and support.
Under the programme, students from Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Sericulture, Forestry, and Agricultural Engineering are working in structured teams comprising undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD scholars, guided by faculty mentors. These teams are conducting Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and survey-based assessments to understand ground-level agricultural challenges.
The programme is designed as a two-way engagement—students gain practical exposure to rural realities, while farmers receive technical advisories, diagnostic services, and updates on government schemes and improved farming practices, including high-yield seeds, resilient varieties, and improved livestock breeds.
University officials said the initiative will also promote rural entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup culture by linking academic research with field requirements. Senior university leadership monitored the rollout across districts to ensure effective implementation and meaningful student participation.
SREP has been positioned as a long-term academic reform and will be conducted regularly as part of SKUAST-K’s academic calendar. The programme is expected to strengthen climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices while preparing students as field-ready agricultural professionals.
By embedding students in village ecosystems, SKUAST-K aims to create a continuous feedback loop between research and rural needs, reinforcing its role in advancing sustainable agricultural development in the region.