Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on the second day of his Jammu & Kashmir visit, attended the 6th Convocation Ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, and conferred degrees upon graduating students.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan urged young graduates to drive innovation in the agriculture sector by launching agri-startups and developing advanced technologies. He highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has achieved remarkable progress in agriculture. Over the past 11 years, foodgrain production has witnessed a 44% increase, with significant growth in rice, wheat, maize, soybean, and groundnut.
Shri Chouhan reminded students that convocation is not the end of learning, but the beginning of a lifelong journey of applying knowledge in real-world scenarios. “What you’ve learned in classrooms and labs must now serve the community,” he said. Emphasizing the irreplaceable role of agriculture, he stated that “neither Jammu & Kashmir, nor India or the world can exist without farming.”
He praised SKUAST-K for its achievements and expressed confidence that the university will soon rank among the top agricultural institutions in the country. He noted that the university attracts students from across 30 Indian states and union territories, as well as from abroad, reflecting its national and global reputation.
The Union Minister emphasized the unique taste and vibrant quality of Jammu & Kashmir’s fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Reiterating the government’s commitment to develop the region as a global horticulture hub, he announced the approval of ₹150 crore under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for setting up a 'Clean Plant Center' in the Union Territory. The center will ensure the local availability of disease-free planting material.
He also cited a successful example in apple orchards, where per-hectare productivity has surged from 10 tonnes to 60 tonnes. “Now is the time for Kashmiri apples to be exported worldwide so that India doesn’t need to import them anymore,” he added.
PM Modi’s Six-Point Strategy for Agricultural Transformation:
Shri Chouhan outlined the six key pillars of Prime Minister Modi’s agriculture development strategy:
