The inauguration of a seven-day training program on Advanced Skills for the Development of Drone Technology Services for Precision and Profitable Farming took place at SKUAST Kashmir on November 4, 2024. This event marked a significant step toward integrating modern technology with agriculture. The program, funded by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, is a prestigious addition to over 500 specialized skill development opportunities that SKUAST has secured. Designed to empower and upskill the youth of the region, this initiative aims to equip participants with cutting-edge expertise, enhancing their employability and fostering local economic growth. The program received an overwhelming response, leading to the selection of 25 participants from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the growing interest in drone technology for precision farming.
Experts invited from across India included industry leaders and academics, such as representatives from IoTechWorld Avigation, MACFOS LIMITED, IIT Mandi, ideaForge Technology, AVPL Internationaland Enthu Technology Solutions. These experts bring extensive experience and specialized knowledge in agricultural drone solutions, robotics, and IoT, providing participants with unique and practical insights.
The event was presided over by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir, with G.A. Sofi, Secretary of Agriculture, serving as the guest of honor. It was also attended by Prof. Haroon Rashid Naik (Director, Research), Prof. Azmat Alam Khan (OSD to Vice Chancellor), Prof. Junaid Khan (Estates Officer), Prof. G.M. Mir (Incharge ARIS), along with other faculty and staff from SKUAST Kashmir. The program included industry experts like Mr. Basant Kumar (Vice President of IoTechWorld Avigation, a leading drone manufacturing company in India).
During the event, Prof. Nazir A. Ganai reiterated the purpose of training programs like this one. He emphasized SKUAST’s broader vision to upskill youth and cultivate a generation of entrepreneurs and innovators who can contribute groundbreaking ideas to society. He expressed gratitude for the tremendous support from the Government for all K initiatives. He praised Dr Showkat Rasool, in charge of CAIML and coordinator of this training program and his team at CAIML, for such initiatives and expressed satisfaction that most of the resource persons are industry experts. Their involvement is expected to foster a culture of innovation, as they are well-positioned to share valuable knowledge and experience with participants, which will be crucial for their entrepreneurial journeys.
Prof. Ganai also highlighted the importance of collaborating with all drone companies operating in Kashmir to build a central database at SKUAST. This data will be critical for developing precision agriculture technology, which is essential for the future of tech-driven farming. Additionally, he informed the audience about SKUAST’s initiative to establish a Fabrication Lab to help transform students’ ideas into tangible products. Furthermore, he announced that SKUAST would host a winter camp for school children, aimed at nurturing their ideas early on and fostering the development of future leaders. He congratulated the scientists at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for their innovative initiatives and commended their forward-thinking mindset.
