JAMMU, August 4, 2025: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasized the pivotal role of women in transforming the agriculture and allied sectors during his address at the 9th Convocation Ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-Jammu). Highlighting the theme of women-led development, Sinha lauded the contributions of Nari Shakti (women power) in driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and improving efficiency in agriculture.
“In areas like climate-smart crops, pest management, biotech solutions, and organic farming, the participation of women scientists has made invaluable contributions,” Sinha stated. He expressed pride in the academic achievements of female students, noting that seven out of eight gold medalists in postgraduate and graduate programs were women, and 32 out of 35 Certificates of Merit in PhD and postgraduate categories were awarded to female students.
“This is a symbol of the rising influence of Nari Shakti in agriculture and allied sectors, and I believe they will continue to drive innovation for sustainable agriculture and enhance farmers’ income,” he added.Sinha underscored the importance of a robust innovation and modern technology ecosystem to promote sustainable agricultural practices, prioritize farmer incomes, mitigate risks, and strengthen farmer-industry linkages. “Farmer welfare is the top priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The positive impact of initiatives like the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) is now visible,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted Jammu & Kashmir’s agricultural transformation, emphasizing the mantra of “Beej se Bazar tak” (from Seed to Market) to empower small and marginal farmers and make them self-reliant.During the ceremony, Sinha inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ex-Situ Gene Bank, making SKUAST-Jammu the third institution in India to host such a facility. This gene bank will preserve genetic resources like seeds and plant tissue, serving as a vital resource for breeding and research programs.
He also laid the foundation stone for a 200-bedded Farmers’ Hostel and a Faculty Building with advanced academic facilities.The event saw the conferment of 446 degrees, including 157 Master’s, 46 Doctorates, and 243 Undergraduate degrees, with eight gold medals awarded to meritorious students. Notable attendees included Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Agriculture Production Javid Ahmad Dar, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary of Agriculture Production Shailendra Kumar, Vice Chancellor Dr. B.N. Tripathi, and members of the Legislative Assembly, University Council, and faculty.
Manoj Sinha urged young scientists and experts to focus on smart farming and leverage advancements in seed production, pest management, food processing, and farm mechanisation to create new opportunities in product development and quality control. “The resolution of Lab to Land has been realized to make small and marginal farmers self-reliant,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for innovation to ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
