Srinagar : To orient entrepreneurs with various branding practices and strategies, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir kick-started a six-day Advanced-Management Development Program (A-MDP) for startup founders and managers on Thursday at Shalimar campus.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office SKUAST-K here, the A-MDP titled ‘Branding Practices and Strategies in the Digital Age for Startups’ is organised by the SKUAST-K’s School of Agri-Economics and Horti-Business Management, Faculty of Horticulture under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India with an aim to inculcate the requisite brand-building skills among the participants.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who was the chief guest at the inaugural function, emphasized the importance of branding for creating value for global consumers. He encouraged the participants to adopt innovative brand development practices and strategies for creating brands of national and international importance.
Director, Extension, Prof Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, demonstrated the presence of brands in the daily matters of life and highlighted the penetration of digital platforms, especially social media, for building successful brands.
Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, Prof Shabir Ahmad Wani emphasized on the horticultural potential in the region and the dire need of having brand creation along the cash crops of the region. Head, SAE&HBM, Sajad Ahmad Baba highlighted the entrepreneurial potential in the region and the criticality of the brand building process keeping in view the global competitive scenario and the rise of consumerism in the third world countries.
Training Coordinator, Dr Abid Sultan, briefed about the purpose of the workshop and its relevance for fostering business growth & expansion prospectus. The workshop was coordinated by Dr Omar Fayaz Khan and moderated by Dr Ishrat Bhat.
SKUAST-K kick starts skill training on saffron processing
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir commenced a weeklong entrepreneurship skill development program on the processing and marketing of saffron in Pampore.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office SKUAST-K here the skill training titled ‘Management of Production, Processing and Marketing of Saffron for Entrepreneurship Development’ is organised by the SKUAST-K’s Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices (ARSSSS), SKUAST-Kashmir, Pampore under the sponsorship of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, New Delhi.
Thirty aspiring entrepreneurs and graduate and undergraduate students are participating in the training program aimed to skill students with saffron production, post-harvesting processing and marketing of the World’s costliest spice. Various resource persons from diverse disciplines of agriculture and horticulture will train the participants.
Prof Naseer Ahmad Dar from the Directorate of Research, SKUAST-K, who was the chief guest at the inaugural function, stressed that GI-tagged Saffron produced in J&K has huge demand across the world and one can easily start entrepreneurship in Niche Crops in general and Saffron in particular.
Head, ARSSSS, Prof Bashir Ahmad Alie, gave a brief account of the program and said that it is important to increase the production of saffron in the country as 80-85% of the saffron used for domestic consumption is imported from other countries which drains a huge exchequer from the country. He further added that both horizontal and vertical area expansion of saffron is the need of hour.
Program Coordinator, Dr MH Khan, highlighted the various aspects of the training program and the importance of Entrepreneurship Development in Saffron.
SKUAST-K commences prog on statistical software at GDC Sumbal
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Thursday commenced an Existing-Management Development Program (E-MDP) on ‘Use of Statistical Softwares in Business Management and Allied Sectors’ at the Government Degree College Sumbal.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office SKUAST-K here the seven-day training program is organised by SKUAST-K’s Division of Social and Basic Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Govt of India with the aim to equip participants with advanced data analysis skills that are crucial in both scientific and business management contexts with respect to statistical packages.
Head Department of Statistics, GDC Sumbal, Prof Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, while speaking in the inaugural function, gave a comprehensive overview of the training program, underscoring the significance of statistical packages in contemporary sciences and business sectors. Program Coordinator, Dr M Iqbal Jeelani shed light on various aspects of the training program, emphasizing its hands-on approach.
Head, Division of Social & Basic Sciences, Prof SN Geelani, gave a detailed view about the role of data science in the modern world and the importance of statistical package skills in business industries. Principal, GDC Sumbal, Prof Shabeena Iqbal Shawl, stressed the necessity of such programs in promoting the use of statistical packages, especially among educated youth. He expressed optimism that this training program would significantly benefit the participants.
SKUAST-K, CDAC Kolkata review national program on electronics, ICT applications in agriculture
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir and Centre for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC), Kolkata, Thursday hosted the 4th National Steering Committee (NSC) on the national program on Electronics and ICT Applications in Agriculture and Environment.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office SKUST-K here, the 4th NSC was held to review the progress of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) sponsored projects operational from the last two years across the country.
Experts from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), CDAC-Kolkata and ICAR, New Delhi participated in the CSC hosted by SKUAST-K’s Division of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Horticulture. Joint Director, MEITY, Dr Om Krishan Singh, and Chairmen NSC, Dr Aloknath De, attended the meeting as the guests of honour.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmed Gani, who was the chief guest at the occasion, emphasised that the ‘National Program on Electronics and ICT Applications in Agriculture and Environment (AgriEnIcs)’ can be a game changer for Indian agriculture and can play a pivotal role in reducing the cost of production, improving resource efficiency and maintaining the quality of the produce.
Joint Director, MEITY, Dr Om Krishan Singh, briefed that the program was initiated in 2021 for a duration of two years. It encompasses five areas including Poultry, Dairy, Machine vision system, vision-guided robotic system and air quality monitoring system. He stated that different prototypes have been developed under the program and their commercialisation is in process. Member NSC, Ronit Kumar, said that this session is a great platform in which universities, Govt. Agencies as well as private companies are working together and discussing the key issues.
All the Deans, Directors of SKUAST-K and all the relevant scientific staff of SKUAST-K attended the inaugural session. The august gathering was welcomed by
Director Research, SKUAST-K, Prof Haroon R Naik, highlighted different technologies developed under the program. Director Extension, SKUAST-K, Prof Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, expressed gratitude for the valuable contributions of all the stakeholders involved in the program.
SKUAST-K launches 4 skill training programs for rural youth in Pulwama, Shopian
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Thursday launched four skill training programs for the rural youth of district Pulwama and Shopian.
According to a statement issued from Public Relations Office SKUST-K here, these four skill trainings of one week each were launched by the Krishi Vikas Kendras of Pulwama and Shopian in association with SAMETI J&K and MANAGE Hyderabad under the Skill Training for Rural Youth (STRY) scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The motive behind these programs is to educate and train the unemployed youth and equip them with vital skills and knowledge in various agriculture and allied fields like sheep farming, mushroom production, aquaculture etc.
‘Commercial Sheep Farming: An Emerging Business Opportunity for Unemployed Youth’ is being conducted by KVK Pulwama at Padgampora, where 29 SHG members associated with JKNRLM have enrolled themselves. Training program on “Low Input Cost Technology for Mushroom Cultivation’ organised by KVK Pulwama is being conducted at its campus at Malangpora. 30 unemployed youth have registered themselves for the training. Dr Ajaz Ahmad Ganie and Dr Waseem Ali Dar of KVK Pulwama are the course coordinators.
Two more training programs on ‘Low Cost Mushroom Cultivation: A Livelihood Prospect for Rural Youth’ and ‘Aquaculture Entrepreneurship a Sustainable Source of Livelihood in J&K’ are being organised by KVK Shopian. 53 rural youth from various areas of the district are participating in these trainings. Dr Shabeer Ahmad Ganie and Dr Bilal Ahmad Zargar of KVK Shopian are the course coordinators.
