Srinagar, Jul 17 : SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai on Friday said the university is working on a comprehensive roadmap to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s agriculture sector, targeting to expand the UT’s agri-economy from ?40,000 crore to ?1 lakh crore by 2030 and doubling it by 2047.
Interacting with scientists, extension officials, and local farmers during his visit to KVK Natnag, Prof. Ganai as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) stressed the need for making farming a sustainable and profitable venture in view of the shrinking landholdings and changing climatic conditions in the valley.
“Climate is changing and landholding capacity is very less. We have to see how we can make agriculture more profitable and create employment opportunities for our educated youth. We have to make them creative and innovative, not just labourers but entrepreneurs,” the VC told KNS.
He said Krishi KVK Natnag which was once a degraded piece of land, has now become one of the top Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the country, with zero-cost and zero-energy water harvesting technologies being developed there.
“We have empowered our farming community through university extension systems, incubation support, and government schemes like HADP, UAMission, and GKCIP. We do not call them farmers anymore—we call them ‘Champion Farmers’, who convert their small landholdings into business units,” he said.
Prof. Ganai said SKUAST-K has already achieved the distinction of being the third-best state agricultural university in the country and is now setting its sights on global recognition.
“We have set a goal to make this the first global agricultural university in India. In February, a three-day fair at Gongul Mela saw 5-6 lakh footfall and business worth ?6-8 crore. That reflects the potential we have,” he said.
The VC said the university, in collaboration with the scientific community, industry partners, and the farming community, is committed to making Jammu and Kashmir a developed model state by 2047.
“By 2047, we have set a very big target. When India has to become a developed country, the per capita income has to increase by at least 10 times. Agriculture has that potential, and we will double it by 2047,” he added.
Prof. Ganai was accompanied by Director Extension, KVK Head Dr. Ishtiaq, scientists, and local farmers during the visit. (KNS)
