LG Sinha wants youth and women farmers at centre of agriculture programmes

Inaugurates four infrastructure facilities in Kashmir.

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 11 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that youth and women farmers should be at the centre of every programme in agriculture and allied sectors and stressed on the important role of agricultural universities in providing practical solutions to the challenges related to food security, sustainable agricultural development.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating 4 important infrastructure facilities in South Kashmir, LG Manoj Sinha said that agricultural universities are unique institutions where the concerns and aspirations of a nation related to food security can be transformed into concrete solutions.
He noted that the four facilities inaugurated today collectively reflect a holistic vision of smart agriculture and rural development.
Notably, he inaugurated a solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) based irrigation and fertigation system, which is designed to provide the right amount of water and nutrients to crops at the right time. He observed that this technology has significant potential to benefit small and marginal farmers by reducing their dependence on labor-intensive irrigation methods and traditional sources of energy.
The LG also inaugurated the Prototype Design and Development Centre, which will help translate innovative concepts into practical agricultural equipment and technologies.
He expressed confidence that the facility will promote mechanization and bridge the gap between laboratory research and field-level application.
Highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship, the he termed the newly established Directorate of Innovation and Entrepreneurship as a transformative initiative. He encouraged the students to become job creators by setting up businesses in areas like seed testing, cold chain management and soil health services. He asked the university to develop this directorate as a platform that would provide guidance, mentorship and access to capital to young entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir. LG Sinha also inaugurated the “Health and Wellness Centre”, terming it as a significant addition to the university’s infrastructure for the well-being of students and faculty members. Stressing on continuous initiatives, he asked the SSC Kashmir to bring new irrigation technology to the villages within the next one year and actively involve farmers in its improvement. He stressed that the data collected through sensors should be converted into simple agricultural advice in local languages ​​and disseminated to farmers through digital platforms.
The LG encouraged the university to facilitate the establishment of at least 100 student-led startups, strengthen linkages between laboratories, cooperative societies, farmers, producer organizations and farmers, and make youth and women farmers central in future programmes.
“We must make data and technology the partner of the farmer. Our target should be to set up at least 100 student-led businesses and startups from the SSC Kashmir campus within the next one year,” he said.
Stressing on the growing challenges posed by climate change, Manoj Sinha asked the university to make sustainable development and environmental protection a central part of its identity. He stressed that the real measure of development is improving the income of farmers, strengthening their economic security and creating opportunities in rural areas. He said, “The identity of Jammu and Kashmir lies in its hardworking farmers, artisans, and its glorious traditions of agriculture, horticulture and handicrafts. In the last 6 years, the HADP projects and farmer-centric policies have played a significant role in strengthening the rural economy of Jammu and Kashmir and creating new employment and business opportunities for the youth.”
He added that the real success of any modern technology or modern equipment will be only when its benefits reach the small farmers in the villages and lead to a real increase in their income.
He said, “I believe that the biggest test of any change is how much positive difference it makes in the life of the farmer. The true measure of our progress should be the increasing income of farmers, their economic security, a better future for their families and new opportunities created in rural areas.”
On this occasion, the Lieutenant Governor released a ‘Coffee Table Book’, which highlights the achievements of South Kashmir and its institutional journey.
(Straight Talk Communications)