JAMMU, AUGUST 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched the Startup Outreach Programme at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Jammu, striving to empower the youth to explore agricultural entrepreneurship.
Sinha emphasized that today’s youth in Jammu and Kashmir desire to generate employment rather than wait in long queues for job opportunities. He pointed out that a self-reliant region fosters conditions where young citizens become employers based on their talents and abilities.
During the event, Sinha inaugurated several infrastructure facilities, including the Unnati Girls Hostel, Centre for AI and ML in Agriculture, and the Advanced Sericulture Laboratory, among others. He described these developments as a commitment to the region’s innovators and agricultural communities.
Global innovations paved the way for his emphasis on looking beyond traditional practices. The Lieutenant Governor mentioned the successful models from countries like the Netherlands and Israel, where technology has revolutionized agriculture and dairy farming. He encouraged local youths to study their specific challenges and create solutions tailored to their environment.
“The biggest message from startups globally is that agriculture and allied sectors represent the next significant frontier for innovation,” said Sinha. He urged budding entrepreneurs to focus on local problems in agriculture rather than merely imitating foreign models.
The Lieutenant Governor further underscored the necessity of women’s participation in entrepreneurship, asserting that no economic growth is achievable without their equal partnership. He called for supportive measures for women-led enterprises, emphasizing the importance of encouraging self-help groups and farmer producer organizations.
On this note, he highlighted the Startup Outreach Programme’s goal of reaching rural youth and farmers who have yet to experience concepts such as mentoring and venture capital. “Most effective solutions emerge from those who directly face similar challenges,” he stated.
SKUAST-Jammu is making strides in this area; more than 150 students are currently selected for idea incubation, with 56 startups being supported. The Lieutenant Governor urged the institution to enhance these numbers and bridge the gap between innovative research and practical agricultural needs.
“The metrics of SKUAST-Jammu’s success should reflect the volume of ideas generated, solutions developed, and the number of lives positively impacted by newly established enterprises,” he asserted.
Encouraging students, Sinha advised them to consider essential questions about solving problems, establishing enterprises, and evaluating the value they can bring to agriculture. “These four inquiries will guide you toward a meaningful career,” he advised.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed optimism, stating that Jammu and Kashmir would gain recognition for its innovation and leadership in agricultural entrepreneurship and youth development.
“Aim high and do not let your circumstances define what you can achieve. Strength from your roots, knowledge, and technology will help you carve new paths,” he affirmed.
Throughout the event, Sinha presented awards to notable startups, farmer producer organizations, and cooperative enterprises contributing to agriculture and rural development. He also released four publications aimed at furthering agricultural innovation and supporting local economies.
In attendance were government officials, faculty from SKUAST-Jammu, and numerous stakeholders invested in the region’s agricultural and entrepreneurial future.
