SRINAGAR: In an period when Kashmir too usually makes headlines for strife and sorrow, a quiet but highly effective silver lining is rising above the horizon — one woven not from battle, however from information, innovation, and hope.
At Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Okay), a new narrative is being written- a story of world-class analysis, record-breaking patents, thriving younger entrepreneurs, and agricultural excellence that locations the scenic Himalayan area amongst India’s highest. Here, in the identical soil that has seen a long time of turmoil, a technology of scientists, college students, and farmers is cultivating one thing enduring — satisfaction, progress, and risk. This is the Kashmir that deserves to be seen. This is the Kashmir that’s quietly, determinedly, altering the script.
Powered by an excellent school comprising nationally and internationally acclaimed scientists, the University is delivering world-class analysis, groundbreaking improvements, and applied sciences which are making India proud on the international stage. In one in every of the landmark achievements, SKUAST-Okay lately secured its a hundredth patent — with an astonishing 43 patents filed in the first ten months of 2025 alone.
“This milestone is a powerful testament to the University’s unwavering commitment to translating cutting-edge research into tangible, farmer-friendly solutions that benefit agriculture, industry, and society at large,” Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Nazir Ahmad Ganai stated throughout “An Autumn Afternoon” – a media interplay hosted by him at the principal campus nestled in the picturesque Srinagar valley.
Several key members of his management workforce and a group of exceptionally gifted college students—younger innovators who’ve already earned nationwide and regional recognition for his or her groundbreaking startups, patented applied sciences, and transformative contributions to agriculture-were additionally current. With satisfaction and confidence, they showcased their achievements, embodying the vibrant spirit of a new Kashmir pushed by creativity, science, and enterprise.
One of the workforce members remarked, “At a time when Kashmir is often misrepresented in media narratives, these accomplishments remind the nation that excellence in agricultural education, research, and innovation is not just alive but thriving in the region.”
In the latest previous, the SKUAST-Okay has achieved two main milestones- submitting its a hundredth patent and securing the seventh rank amongst 78 agricultural universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 (Agriculture and Allied Sectors) launched by the Ministry of Education.
The University’s innovation ecosystem, launched in 2020 beneath the World Bank-funded NAHEP venture, made historical past by turning into the first State Agricultural University in India to undertake an Innovation and Startup Policy and set up the SKUAST-Okay Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIE).
In 5 years, SKIIE has incubated 89 startups and facilitated 100 patents, backed by key nationwide partnerships together with DST’s i-TBI, NABARD’s Rural Business Incubator, BIRAC E-Yuva Centre, MeitY’s startup commercialisation venture, and the JKCIP incubation element.
The JKCIP Incubation and Startup Cell, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has emerged as J&Okay’s central platform for agri-entrepreneurship. It affords end-to-end help — ideathons, mentorship, seed funding, coaching, and market entry — empowering rural youth and girls to launch technology-driven enterprises.
University authorities described the twin achievements as a proud second for J&Okay, underlining the area’s rising stature in agricultural analysis, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Replying to a query, VC Prof. Ganai expressed critical concern over the ongoing development increase in the Valley, acknowledging that it’s quickly encroaching upon huge stretches of prime agricultural land. “This unchecked conversion of fertile farmland into concrete structures is a matter of grave concern,” he stated. He, nonetheless, additionally stated that regardless of speedy urbanisation and shrinking farmland, SKUAST-Okay continues to drive productiveness positive aspects and has urged the authorities to implement stronger land-use insurance policies to guard the Valley’s fertile agricultural land.
“Take Srinagar, for example—it has unfortunately become one of the most unplanned and disorganised cities in the country, with no effective land-use policy in place. Yet, even as fertile farmland shrinks, SKUAST-K has managed to deliver extraordinary leaps in productivity through cutting-edge technologies and precision scientific farming,” Prof. Ganai remarked.
Elaborating, he stated that Kashmir now achieves 10–12 tonnes of rice per hectare towards the nationwide common of simply 3 tonnes — three to 4 instances larger. Even in comparison with Punjab’s 5 tonnes per hectare, Kashmir doubles the yield at 10 tonnes. In horticulture and orchards, the area data 40–60 tonnes per hectare, far surpassing the nationwide common of 10 tonnes and delivering 4 to 6 instances the output, he stated.
Prof. Ganai additionally outlined SKUAST-Okay’s pioneering interventions to reverse the declining saffron manufacturing, increase walnut yields, develop and introduce high-yielding and climate-resilient apple varieties, deploy scientifically validated disease-control strategies for fruits and greens, and equip farmers with superior irrigation applied sciences to fight the rising challenges of worldwide warming.
He emphasised the University’s efforts to advertise autumn tourism in Kashmir. For the previous two months, SKUAST-Okay has been celebrating the season with its spectacular Chrysanthemum Garden, aiming to place autumn as a main vacationer attraction alongside the well-known spring Tulip Garden.
SKUAST-Okay stands as we speak not simply as an instructional establishment, however as a highly effective engine of innovation, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic transformation in J&Okay. By mixing cutting-edge science with ground-level options, defending valuable farmland, empowering youth, and showcasing the area’s pure magnificence, the University is scripting a new, hopeful narrative — one the place Kashmir leads India’s agricultural future with satisfaction , resilience, and international excellence.
The VC expressed deep gratitude to the J&Okay authorities and the Centre for his or her beneficiant funding and unwavering help. He said that, alongside the distinctive expertise of its school and college students, it’s this sturdy monetary backing that has enabled SKUAST-Kashmir to earn nationwide acclaim and acquire international recognition for its excellent contributions to agricultural science and innovation.