Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-J inaugrated custom hiring center under HADP
Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Honβble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu today inaugurated Custom Hiring Center of farm machinery established under Farm Mechanization and Automation Project of Holistic Agriculture Development Programme UT of J&K on the occasion of 20 th Scientific Advisory
Committee meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Jammu. Speaking on the occasion Prof BN Tripathi briefed that the custom hiring center established at KVK Jammu will help the recourse poor farmers of Jammu district to avail the facilities of lasted farm machinery including Super seeded, Laser leveler,
potato planter, Rotavator, and latest 63 HP Tractor at a minimum price. While chairing the 20th SAC meeting, Prof Tripathi highlighted the important role of KVKβs in dissemination of the latesttechnologies among the farming community. He appreciated the efforts of KVK Jammu for developing
the entrepreneurship among rural youth, promoting startups and FPOs in the district. He also desired that some modal based on sensor based technologies should also be developed in collaboration withfaculty of Agriculture Engineering, SKUAST J Chatha. Dr Parvinder Sheoran, Director ICAR ATARI
Zone 1informed that KVK Jammu is the best KVK of the zone. Dr Amrish Vaid Director Extension focused on the promotion of University released varieties for better horizontal spread among the farmers and seed chain of agriculture department. Dr S K Gupta Director Research SKUAST J stressed
upon the better coordination among the KVK and the line department working in the district. At the outset Dr Punit Choudhary Chief Scientist and Head KVK Jammu putforth the salient achievement of KVK Jammu of the previous year and also proposed the action plan of for the year 2024-25 among the House. Dean FVSc & AH, Dr Rajesh Katoch, Dean FoAE Chatha, Dr Sushil Sharma, Dean Dairy Tech, Dr Jaswinder Sudan, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Dr Anil Sharma, Dean Horticulture and Forestry Dr VikasTandon and Assoc. Dir Ext, Dr Hema Tripathi were also present also put forth their their views during the occasion. District Heads of Agriculture, ATMA, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, HPMC,Horticulture, IFFCO, NABARD, ICICI Foundation, Fisheries and progressive farmers of Jammu district actively interacted and provided useful suggestions during the meeting. Both Scientific and non scientific staff of KVK Jammu including Dr Ravneet Kour, Dr Sheetal Badyal Dr Prem Kumar, Dr Muneeshwar Sharma, Dr Amitesh Sharma Dr Raju Gupta and Dr Raju Gupta, Dr Satbir Singh and Sh Sahil Talgotra were also present during the meeting.
VC SKUAST-Jammu Inaugurates High-End Research Facilities at Institute of Biotechnology
Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu inaugurated high-end research facility developed under VC Flexi grant scheme of Holistic Agriculture Development Plan (HADP) project of Govt. of J&K UT. The facility includes high throughput transfection Particle Delivery System and a next generation sequencing unit. Prof. Tripathi expressed satisfaction on the establishment of such a facility which will give a boost to the genomic research for accelerated and precision crop improvement. The VC advised the scientists to utilize these high-end equipments to their fullest potential, and strive for breakthroughs that could contribute significantly to the field of biotechnology and beyond.
Later, Prof. B.N. Triptahi interacted with a group of technicians of Department of Horticulture, JK UT Govt., who were imparted two months training on βTissue Culture Practices and Protocols for Scaled upProduction of Quality Planting Material in EconomicallyImportant Fruit Plantsβ at Institute of Biotechnology, SKUAST-Jammu with financial support under HADP.
Present on the occasion were Sh. C.L. Sharma, Director Horticulture; Prof. S.K. Gupta, Director Research; Prof. AmrishVaid, Director Extension; Prof. R.K. Salgotra, Director Institute of Biotechnology, Dr. HemaTripathi, Associate Director Extension and faculty members of the Institute.
Prof. B.N. Tripathi emphasized on the importance of conducting such trainings for technical staff of line departments to make them more skillful for generating quality planting material of economically important crops. He ensured continuous technical backup of the biotechnology scientists to the Department of Horticulture in establishing and operationalizing the Tissue Culture Laboratories being established at Mega Fruit Nursery, Chakroi. Prof. Tripathi laid stress on developing cost effective commercial tissue culture protocols for fruit plants such as strawberry, citrus fruits and banana.
Sh. C.L. Sharma expressed gratitude to the University for training manpower of the Department in tissue culture which will boost production of planting material for meeting demand of the farming community. He promised the financial support to the University through projects for need based research endeavors. The Director Horticulture felt need of surveying the fruit growing pockets of the Jammu region for estimating the production potential of major fruit crops.
Dr. S.K. Gupta appreciated the efforts of the concerned scientists and cooperation provided by the Department of Horticulture for conducting the training programme. Dr. HemaTripathi took feed back from the trainees and suggested that a certificate course in Tissue Culture may be instituted and offered on regular basis.
Earlier, Prof. R.K. Salgotra welcomed the dignitaries and presented an outline of newly created research facilities, along with brief report of activities of the training programme. Prof. Salgotra conveyed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for providing funds for establishing high-end research facilities under VC Flexi grant.
The activities of the programme were coordinated by Prof. Manmohan Sharma, Course Coordinator and vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Susheel Sharma.
Second day of βVET FEST 2K24β showcases cultural extravaganza
On the second day of VET FEST 2K24 veterinary students showcased their talents in cultural extravaganzaβRangRezβ hosted by the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry at SKUAST-Jammu, R S Pura.
Dr. Rajesh Katoch, Dean, F.V.Sc & A.H graced the occasion and inaugurated the event alongside other Faculty members. Students showcased their talents in cultural events like Dhanak, the Dance competition (Solo, Duet and Group folk dance); Suriley the singing competition (Solo, Duet and Group); Kehkashan, the fashion show, Express, the skit and drama. The VET FEST 2K24 is being organized under the guidance of Dr. B.N Tripathi, Honβble Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu. The event is being conducted in collaboration with IDP-NAHEP, SKUAST-Jammu.
Prof. Rajesh Katoch, the Patron of the Organizing Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry reaffirmed that platforms like Vet Fest serve as catalysts for holistic growth, enabling participants to explore their potential beyond the confines of traditional academic settings and encouraging them to embrace a spirit of exploration and experimentation.
Dr H.R Bhardwaj, Organizing Secretary of VET FEST 2K24 extended warm welcome to all the invited guests and audience.
The event witnessed and enjoyed by invited guests, HoDs, Veterinary teaching and non-teaching staff members and students.
SKUAST-Jammu Organizes Events on Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)
Mission LiFE: Ideation and Poster competition at SKUAST-Jammu
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu in its mission to create awareness among students regarding βMission LiFEβ conducted two events on Poster Making and Ideation under the theme βWaste to Wealth in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agroforestry and Livestock Farmingβ. The objective of organizing events was to scale up vision of Mission Life into on-ground actions.In the poster making contest, 60 talented participants showcased their creativity and commitment to the cause while the Ideation competition witnessed the active participation of 13 candidates who presented innovative ideas for creation of wealth from waste through PowerPoint presentations.The events were managed by Dr. Manmohan Sharma, Dr. Ankur Rastogi, Dr. Sachin Gupta and Dr. Partiksha Raghuvanshi.
Mission LiFE, proposed at Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November 2021 and launched on 20th October, 2022 by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, is envisioned as an India-led global mass movement that will nudge individual and collective action to protect and preserve the environment.
The enthusiasm and dedication exhibited by the students was commendable, reflecting their commitment to generate innovative solutions for addressing pressing environmental challenges caused by diverse agro wastes. Dr. Hema Tripathi, Associate Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu and Prof. A.K. Raina, former Professor and Head, Department of Environment Sciences, University of Jammu were the judges in Ideation contest while Shri Sat Paul Deol judged the poster competition.
The programme was held under the overall patronage of Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu. Prof. Rajinder Peshin, Director of Education is the Chairperson while Prof. Sudhakar Dwivedi, Dean Student Welfare is acting as the Coordinator of the Programmes being organized under Mission LiFe at SKUAST-Jammu.
The student activities under Mission LiFE at SKUAST-Jammu are being organized in coordination with NAHEP-IDP and NSS unit of the University.These events shall serve as precursors to the main function scheduled to be held at the Baba Jitto Auditorium, SKUAST-Jammu on May 13, 2024.
Valedictory Function of One Month Agri-entrepreneurship Training Programmes held by Agri-Business Incubator, SKUAST-Jammu
Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Honβble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu remarked that seeds of creativity and innovative thinking need to be sowed in the minds of young students from an early stage so asto inspire young students to look towards developing their own agri-business ventures utilizing their education and learnings. He was speaking as Chief Guest during the valedictory function of one month agri-entrepreneurship training programmes for 7 th batch of incubatees of Agri-Business Incubator, SKUAST-Jammu from 19.03.2024 to 25.04.2024 under RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmersβ Welfare, GoI. The main focus of the training programme was to provide academic, business & technical training to the selected incubatees so as to give shape to their creative thinking & innovative ideas for setting up their agri start-ups. Prof. Tripathi outlined the importance of boosting the agri start-up ecosystem by motivating young students to look beyond traditional job opportunities and broaden their vision to become job providers by running their own enterprises. He emphasized that the students should be imparted practical entrepreneurship training from the undergraduate level itself so that they are in a position to set up their own ventures during their student
stint only. He advised budding entrepreneurs and young students to have regular brain storming sessions on problems of the agriculture sector which shall help in creation of novel innovative ideas which can be converted into commercial ventures by initiating business operations from the University itself. He assured all stakeholders that complete support and hand-holding shall be provided by the University to all those who are looking forward to go down the path of agri-entrepreneurship. He also congratulated Prof. Jyoti Kachroo, Head, Division of AEABM, CEO & P.I, Agri Business Incubator, SKUAST-J and her entire team on the successful completion of the training. Earlier, Prof. Jyoti Kachroo, in her address, formally welcomed Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Honβble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-J and expressed heartfelt gratitude towards him for sparing some of his valuable time for the event. She also welcomed the academic and administrative officers of the University namely Prof. Anil Sharma, Dean- Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. S.E.H Rizvi, Dean- Faculty of Basic Sciences, Prof. Sudhakar Dwivedi, Dean-Student Welfare, Prof. Vikas Tandon, Dean- Faculty of Horticulture & Forestry, Prof. Sushil Sharma, Dean-Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Prof. J.S. Soodan, Dean- Faculty of Dairy Technology, Dr. R.K Samnotra, University Librarian and Dr. Mahital Jamwal, Associate, Director Research. She outlined that 7 batches of potential agri-entrepreneurs consisting of 78 incubatees have now been trained at ABI, SKUAST-J and funding to the tune of Rs. 2.88 crores in total has been sanctioned in favor of 26 start-ups. She also informed the house about some new initiatives introduced involving special funding support to students and women entrepreneurs along-with cash prizes to best start-ups on the basis of their innovative ideas and products. Prof. Anil Kumar, Dean FoA, in his opening remarks enlightened the gathering about the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme of GoI and its positive impact in developing agri start-up ecosystem in the region. He emphasized on the importance of aligning higher education and research with solving practical on ground issues which can become successful commercial ventures in the future. The incubatees also shared their experience regarding the training programme and expressed their gratitude towards the efforts made by ABI, SKUAST-J under the guidance of Honβble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-J for facilitating and guiding them during their training journey. Certificates were also distributed to the incubatees by the Chief Guest. Proceedings of the programme were conducted by Dr. Anil Bhat, Co-P.I
Asstt. Prof. AEABM. Dr. Yamini Raut and Mr. Tarunjeet Singh from ABI, SKUAST-J facilitated the arrangements for the event. At the end, formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr. S.P Singh, Co-P.I and Professor, AEABM thanking all the present dignitaries for their valuable time and participation in the event.