SKUAST-J, KVK Jammu organise sensitisation prog

Jammu, Aug 14: Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) Centre, SKUAST-J in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Jammu Wednesday organized a “Sensitization programme on agri-entrepreneurship development through ABI, SKUAST J” at KVK Jammu.

The programme, organised under the patronage of Prof B N Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu (SKUAST-J), was attended by a number of progressive farmers, faculty members of nearby colleges, students and innovative youth.

Dr Sheetal Badyal, Chief Scientist (Home Science), KVK Jammu, in her welcome address, exhorted the audience to divert themselves from their traditional agriculture practices and shift to a more commercial agri-business based approach that would help in enhancing their income and lead to improved financial security and self reliance for them, their families.

The programme was organized as part of ‘Technology week’, being celebrated at KVK Jammu under the guidance and support of Director Extension, SKUAST-J, Prof Amrish Vaid and Head, KVK Jammu, Dr Puneet Chowdhary.

Main expert, Prof Jyoti Kachroo, PI-CEO, Agri-Business Incubation Centre and Head, Division of AEABM, SKUAST-J, in her detailed presentation described the scope and opportunities of agri-entrepreneurship in today’s scenario. She informed the gathering about the constructive role being played by ABI, SKUAST-J in the training and development of innovative agri start-ups from J&K UT and its surrounding regions through uniquely designed agri-entrepreneurship training and funding programmes namely UDGAM (Idea Stage Programme), PRAGATI (Seed Stage Programme) and Student Financial Assistance Programme. She also outlined that 78 potential agri-entrepreneurs in 7 batches were already incubated at SKUAST-Jammu under these programmes and funding to the tune of Rs 2.88 Cr in total was sanctioned in favour of 26 start-ups from 6 batches by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. The application process for admission to the 8th batch is also underway currently.