NextGen Agriculture: My Produce My Price
Walking through the vibrant Agro-Tech Mela at SKUAST Kashmir with my father, I felt a profound sense of resolve. The bustling stalls overflowing with high-yield seeds, exotic plant materials and diverse species of livestock didn’t just showcase modern agriculture, they triggered a deep soulful memory of Gungol, the traditional herald of sowing season in Kashmir.
For generations of Kashmiri farmers Gungol used to be the festival of hope. As March drew to a close, especially following Nauroz, the air would flip with joy. Farmers dressed in traditional attire, would lead their oxen to the fields to plough the first symbolic stretch of land. It was the day of communal harmony and celebration. Homes were filled with special dishes and farmers shared a signature mix of walnuts, rice and sugar, a sweet symbol of the abundance they hoped to harvest. This deep rooted connection to the soil is immortalized by the patron saint of Kashmir, Sheikh Noor Ud Din Noorani (R.A) who famously said, “Yous Kare Gungol Soe Kare Karav”( He who sows with diligence shall reap with pride)
Shifting focus from traditional farming to modern agro-tech farming and exploring new innovations and employment opportunities in agriculture, the Shalimar Campus of SKUAST-K has transformed into an epicenter of innovation. On February 14, 2026 the 11th edition of Agro-Tech Mela was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with the theme “NextGen Agriculture My Produce My Price”. The three day festival from the 14th to the 16th of February, 2026 aimed to bridge the gap between the traditional wisdom and contemporary science and technology served as a massive stage for showcasing organic solutions (sustainable methods to preserve the health of our soil) and agri- entrepreneurship (empowering the youth to see farming not just as labour, but as a profitable business)
While inaugurating the festival, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the government’s commitment to the farming community saying that through the institutions like SKUAST-K and SKUAST-J, the administration is ensuring that technology-driven and organic solutions reach the grassroots level
Following the inauguration, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by Education and Health Minister Sakeena Yatoo and Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, conducted an extensive inspection of the Mela. The Chief Minister visited over 100 of the 400 stalls, engaging directly with young agropreneurs. He took a keen interest in their technological interventions, inquiring about the sustainability and practical impact of their startups on the ground.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, highlighted the strategic importance of this 11th edition now a “Technology-cum-Trade Mela.” He said that due to the overwhelming public demand and record-breaking crowds, the festival was extended now to three from two days. The Vice-Chancellor shared an ambitious vision, “Kashmir’s agro-based economy currently stands at ₹37,000 crore. Our mission is to propel this to ₹1 lakh crore by 2030.”
This transformation is being fuelled by landmark government initiatives such as the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) and JK-CIP, which provide the financial incentives and structural support necessary for farmers to transition from traditional to commercial agriculture.
A core theme of the Mela was the elimination of exploitative middlemen. Through the promotion of Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs), the J&K government is encouraging growers to form clusters. These FPOs allow farmers to aggregate their produce, engage in value addition, and handle their own branding and packaging. For the first time, many farmers felt empowered to dictate the price of their own hard earned produce, ensuring that the most significant share of the profit stays with the grower.
With the Valley shifting towards high density orchard systems, the demand for quality plant material has skyrocketed, opening massive business doors for local nursery entrepreneurs. Beyond apples, the Mela emphasized the untapped potential in vegetables, floriculture, and the processing sector.
The university’s own research wings and successful startups showcased ready to use technologies, inviting the youth to adopt these innovations as the foundation for their own employment opportunities.The event also successfully integrated the private sector. Large agricultural corporations demonstrated advanced machinery, while various sponsors categorized into Gold, Diamond, Silver, and Bronze were provided with strategic marketing platforms and visible sites to showcase their contributions to the agricultural ecosystem.
The grand success of the Agro-Tech Mela Gungol 2026 was the result of collective leadership of SKUAST-K. Steered by the dynamic vision of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, the event was coordinated by Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth (Director Extension and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture).
This monumental success was further fortified by the collective efforts of the Director of Research, the Director Education, Deans of all faculties, theme coordinators, and senior officers of SKUAST-K. Their collaborative planning ensured that the Mela was not just an exhibition, but a transformative experience for the agricultural community.
Resonated with the energy of thousands of farmers, growers, and aspiring agropreneurs who thronged the venue. The Mela served as a high-tech marketplace where participants could explore, high yielding varieties, a wide variety of climate resilient fruits, vegetables, paddy, and floriculture, specialized sectors, innovations in fisheries and livestock management and quality inputs. Hundreds of government and private stalls provided certified seeds and superior plant materials at subsidized, farmer friendly rates.
The overwhelming turnout and enthusiastic engagement led to a resounding call from the public. Participants and stakeholders urged the administration to decentralize such initiatives, demanding that district level Agro-Tech Melas be organized. This would not only bring technology directly to the farmer’s doorstep but also ensure wider public convenience and a more localized promotion of modern agricultural practices.
G.Q Kamran, Educator at Govt Model Hr Sec School Zoohama
