Doda :The SKUAST-Jammu Agri-Business Incubator (ABI) Foundation Friday organized an online awareness programme on the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-PM-RKVY (RKVY-RAFTAAR) Scheme to educate and motivate youth, farmers, aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators of Doda district about opportunities in agri-business and startup development.
PM-RKVY (Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana), revamped as RKVY-RAFTAAR, is a flagship Centrally Sponsored umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. It aims to make farming a profitable economic activity by strengthening infrastructure, mitigating farmer risks and promoting agri-entrepreneurship and innovation
The virtual session was telecast live through video conferencing at Government Higher Secondary School Gai Dessa, where students and participants attended the programme with great enthusiasm.
The proceedings of the programme were jointly conducted by Prof. Jyoti Kachroo, Dr. Yamini Raut from the ABIC team and Hiteeshwar Kishore Thakur, President Dessa Multipurpose FPO Cooperative Ltd, Doda and a 10th-batch incubatee of the ABI Foundation.
The programme was attended by the host school Principal Ranjeet Singh, along with teaching staff, students and local youth, who evinced keen interest in understanding the scheme and its implementation.
During the session, Prof. Jyoti Kachroo elaborated on the components and benefits of the PM-RKVY scheme, particularly focusing on startup incubation, innovation support, financial assistance and entrepreneurship development in the agriculture sector. She highlighted the significant role being played by the SKUAST-J ABI Foundation in promoting agri-based startups and creating employment avenues for rural youth. She also encouraged students and young innovators to take advantage of incubation facilities and the Student Financial Assistance Programme to transform innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises.
The interactive session provided valuable guidance regarding business planning, market linkages, value addition in agriculture, food processing opportunities and self-employment generation through agri-entrepreneurship. Participants appreciated the initiative and sought more such awareness programmes in remote areas of the district.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, reaffirming the commitment of SKUAST-J ABI Foundation towards strengthening the agri-startup ecosystem and empowering rural communities through innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable agricultural development.
