Srinagar: In a landmark step towards transforming agricultural education and grassroots outreach, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir has launched the Student Rural Exploration Program (SREP) under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP-20).
The initiative, led by Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, witnessed a massive rollout as more than 3,000 students fanned out across over 300 university-adopted villages throughout the Kashmir Valley.
Moving beyond conventional classroom learning, the programme places students directly in rural settings, creating an interface between advanced scientific knowledge and traditional farming practices. The aim is to equip future agricultural professionals with a grounded understanding of rural livelihoods and challenges.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ganai described the programme as a transformational step.
“The Student Rural Exploration Program is not just an academic initiative, it is a movement. By placing students in villages for sustained engagement, we are building a living bridge between science and society. It will generate real-time rural intelligence, empower communities, and nurture socially committed professionals,” he said.
The programme follows a structured, multidisciplinary model involving students from faculties including Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Sericulture, Forestry, and Agricultural Engineering.
Each team comprises four undergraduate students, two postgraduate students, and one PhD scholar, working under the guidance of a scientist mentor. The groups are conducting Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)-based surveys, offering students hands-on exposure to the complexities of rural economies across diverse terrains.
The initiative is designed to benefit both academic and farming communities. While students gather critical field data and insights, farmers receive expert technical guidance, diagnostic support, and information on government schemes and modern agricultural practices.
The university aims to strengthen trust with farming communities by introducing improved seeds, resilient crop varieties, advanced rootstocks, and superior livestock breeds.
Beyond extension work, the programme is expected to act as a catalyst for rural entrepreneurship, startups, and innovation. The rollout is being actively monitored by the Vice Chancellor along with Deans, Directors, and Associate Deans, who are engaging with students across districts to ensure meaningful field exposure.
Hailed as a potential game-changer in agricultural education, SREP is set to become a permanent feature in the university’s academic calendar, with field visits planned every fortnight.
By documenting grassroots challenges and feeding insights back into research, SKUAST-K is creating a dynamic feedback loop to ensure its work remains relevant and impactful. The initiative aims to develop a generation of empathetic, field-ready professionals capable of advancing sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
The programme underscores a future where scientific innovation aligns with traditional wisdom, strengthening the bond between laboratories and farms while empowering rural communities.
