The Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir organised a one-day awareness programme on strengthening entrepreneurship and management of startups in agriculture and allied sectors at KVK Kupwara.
The purpose of the programme was to know the gaps in the startup ecosystem and develop strategies for creating an enabling environment for scaling up successful agri-startups, the university said in a press release.
The programme was held under the banner of SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (SKIIE) Centre sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) with an ultimate objective of promoting new enterprises and inculcating entrepreneurial culture in UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
In addition to participating farmers, the programme was attended by Prof Raihana H Kanth, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Dr Kaiser Malik Programme Coordinator KVK Kupwara and faculty members of Division of Agri. Extension & Communication FoAWadura.
Dr Quadri Javeed Ah Peer formally welcomed the guests and participants and briefed them about the important role of innovation and entrepreneurship in the elevation of the agricultural sector and its various stakeholders.
Prof Raihana enlightened the farmers about the importance of skill-based training programmes to build an entrepreneurial mindset among the youth and develop their skills so they can launch their own innovation-led startups and business ventures.
Startups are not only creating new jobs which means more employment but are also leaving a ripple effect on the socio-economic fabric of the demography in which they are operating, Prof Raihana said, adding that agri-startups are taking a pragmatic approach towards innovation that is solving farmer problems at the ground level.
