J&K to lead Viksit Bharat @2047

Srinagar, Dec 24: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir has provided effective leadership in the creation of an innovation ecosystem, globalization of agricultural education, and adoption of NEP-2020 with a concept of ‘Degree by Design’.

To live the dream of ‘J&K to Lead Viksit Bharat @2047’, School of Agricultural Economics & Business Management, SKUAST-K organised a knowledge sharing and brainstorming session on, ‘Technological Advancements and Reforms in Agricultural Marketing in India’ this week under the sponsorship of the World Bank-ICAR funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) for the institutional development of SKUAST-K.

The main objective of the programme was to share experiences of commodity-specific and region-specific initiatives taken towards strengthening of agricultural marketing, to meditate upon the imperatives for the global value chain integration inclusive of small and marginal farmers and to identify novel ideas with technological and digital provisions for strengthening of agricultural marketing and market intelligence. The program was intended to draw up a pragmatic road map for the development of agricultural marketing and the strengthening of market intelligence. Besides it will provide for a viable structure for the global value chain integration for the export promotion and brand value communication. Subject matter experts from premier R&D and Corporate institutions from different parts of the country participated in the event to meditate upon various issues confronting existing delivery systems to reform it toward futuristic agriculture.

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, informed how SKUAST-K has emerged from just understanding of startups in concepts to a leader and one of the premier research and educational institutes in
India. He said that SKUAST-K is dedicated to working for and drawing a road map to make J&K leading Viksit Bharat @2047.

He advised participants to focus on outcomes prior to planning for any kind of development activity. Expressing his satisfaction with the execution of HADP for the transformation of agriculture from subsistence to sustainable commercialization, he showed concerns about developing markets for the proper delivery of products while at the same time confirming global quality standards. He appreciated the School of Agricultural Economics & Horti-business Management for organizing this session for the development of the agricultural marketing system in India.

Prof Azmat A Khan, ADR/OSD, SKUAST-K deliberated about the various initiatives taken up by SKUAST-K towards J&K to lead Viksit Bharat @2047. He brought out various persistent issues confronting the existing marketing system and expressed his expectation of finding solutions to these problems.

Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, Prof Shabir Ahmad Wani, share the evolution of the concept of market intelligence and provides free space for lessons from experts. Director, Research, Prof Haroon R Naik, shared with the various initiatives taken up under MSME Programs, HADP and emphasized upon the creation of innovation ecosystem in marketing and provision of delivery services. Deepak Moneria, Founder Member LEMON School of Entrepreneurship highlighted how market development and entrepreneurship have a close synergy. He shared how SKUAST-K opened up for LEMON during the COVID era when everything was at a halt. He expressed his interest in building collaboration with institutions beyond mountainous regions. During this session, an MOU between SKUAST-K and LEMON was also signed.

In its opening session, Head, SAE&HBM, Prof Sajad H Baba, shared that we have been identified by nature and if we look at the architect of our fingerprints alone then we can observe that we have been branded at birth.

He highlighted our role towards societal development and emphasized capitalising upon inherent advantages in agriculture by way of communicating brand values. He brought out the need to integrate a global value chain and effective service delivery by making use of blockchain and digital technologies.