JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, today underscored the critical role of scientific innovation, technology integration and climate-resilient practices in transforming agriculture into a sustainable and economically viable sector in Jammu & Kashmir.
He was speaking at the Foundation Day celebration of Unati Agri Allied & Marketing Multi-State Cooperative Society Limited, organized in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, J&K UT. Themed “Sustainable Agriculture through Scientific Interventions,” the event brought together scientists, policymakers, farmers, entrepreneurs and youth from across the region.
The Minister highlighted the government’s commitment towards empowering the farmers by promoting modern agricultural techniques, facilitating access to renewable energy solutions and creating a strong linkage between research institutions, cooperatives, and rural communities.
“Agriculture today must go beyond subsistence. It must be smart, sustainable and scalable. Through scientific interventions and robust policy support, we are enabling the farmers to become self-reliant, tech-savvy and economically empowered,” the Minister said.
The Minister lauded the efforts of Unati Agri Allied Cooperative and the Science & Technology Department in organizing a knowledge-driven platform that aligns with the vision of climate-smart, tech-enabled agriculture. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to support such initiatives and ensure greater outreach, funding support and policy facilitation to realize the full potential of Jammu and Kashmir’s agricultural sector.
The programme witnessed the participation of several distinguished dignitaries and domain experts. These included Advisor, PU–IIT Ropar, Northern Cluster, Dr Jatinder Kaur, Director, Agriculture Department, J&K, Additional Director, J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKSTIC), Dr Nasir Shah, Regional Head, JAKEDA, Deepak Sharma and other senior officials.
Key highlights of the event included expert sessions on organic farming, regenerative practices, biotechnology and precision agriculture, demonstrations on the use of solar and renewable energy in farming, including initiatives under the KUSUM scheme, awareness on government-supported schemes to promote agri-entrepreneurship and aroma cultivation, emphasis on integrating youth and startups into the agricultural innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Nasir Shah called for strengthening the bridge between science and field-level practices.
Dr. Jatinder Kour Arora advocated for a convergence model involving research institutions, cooperatives, and technology startups to scale sustainable solutions across agro-climatic zones.
The participants, including farmers, students and Agri-preneurs, were sensitised about initiatives led by JKSTIC and JAKEDA, including the installation of solar pumps under the KUSUM scheme, promotion of aroma farming clusters for high-value low-footprint agriculture.
