SRINAGAR: An Awareness-cum-Sensitization Programme entitled “AgriNovate 1.0: Redefining Organic Agriculture through Innovations & Start-ups” was successfully organized in collaboration with Government Degree Collage Pulwama on Wednesday under the Alternate system of Agriculture for sustainability (HADP-16) in collaboration with the Shere-Kashmir Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIEC), SKUAST-Kashmir.
The event aimed to promote organic agriculture and inspire youth to explore innovation-driven and entrepreneurial ventures in the agri-sector. The programme commenced with the welcome address by Naveed Hamid, Chief Executive Officer/Head, SKIIE Centre, SKUAST-K, and emphasized the importance of innovation-led approaches in transforming traditional farming systems toward commercially viable approaches though scientific innovative intervention to disrupt the market. He gave stress on changing the mindset and mapping the same with new trends in agriculture and agribusiness system for ideation generation.
Hamid elaborated on the objectives of HADP-16 and the crucial role of SKIIE Centre under the dynamic leadership of Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nazir A Ganai and Director Research SKUAST K Prof. Haroon R Naik in promoting innovation, incubation, and start-up culture within the agricultural ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmir and thanked Prof. Parmeet Singh, PI HADP-16 for providing opportunity and assigning responsibility of Incubation component.
Dr. Naveed Ahmad, Professor, Government Degree College, Pulwama, highlighted the importance of integrating organic farming practices with scientific interventions to enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental health. The Technical Session were presented by Dr. Rouf Ahmad, Director Happico Industries and Dr. Muneer Ahmad Director Glowtips who deliberated on importance of organic farming technologies, start-up opportunities, value addition, and policy support for agri-entrepreneurship. They emphasized the role of SKUAST-Kashmir in providing incubation and handholding support and skill-based training to aspiring agri-preneurs.
Dr. Shayista Fayaz, HADP-16 Staff member briefly throw light on startup opportunities in organic sector and support under HADP to kickstart their enterprise followed by a briefing on registration process for Agri-Innovate Hackathon/ Grand Challenge.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, start-up aspirants, and faculty members of Govt. Degree college Pulwama who engaged in interactive discussions on the potential of organic agriculture as a sustainable and profitable enterprise and shared out of the box ideas with the technical team led by Mr. Maninder Singh, HADP-16 Team Member.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks, by Mr. Suhail Ahmad, HADP-16 Team Member. Later an hour deliberation with Worthy Principal GDC Pulwama Prof. Haris took place on remodifying the traditional educational and Agricultural system and mapping the mindset of these young minds towards Agri-Startups culture.