The Impressive TimesSrinagar, July 4: Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, attended the sixth convocation ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) in Srinagar, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to agricultural advancement in Jammu & Kashmir.
The event, held on the second day of the Minister’s visit to the Union Territory, was graced by Lieutenant Governor and Chancellor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister and Pro-Chancellor Omar Abdullah, Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, Deputy CM Shri Rajendra Chaudhary, Education Minister Ms. Sakina Masood, and senior academicians and dignitaries.
Addressing a packed audience of graduates and faculty, Chouhan said, “Jammu & Kashmir is the crown jewel of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and a prosperous J&K with empowered farmers is vital to achieving that goal.”
Recalling a past meeting with CM Abdullah, the Union Minister noted how internal stability in J&K encouraged advisory meetings to be held in the region. “We accepted your invitation and held the advisory committee meeting yesterday,” he added.
Praising SKUAST-K’s achievements, Chouhan said the university attracts students from over 30 Indian states and abroad, and is on track to become a top-ranking agricultural institution.
In a heartfelt message to graduates, he emphasized that convocation marks the beginning of learning, not the end. “Use your knowledge to transform society. Agriculture is the backbone of India and cannot be replaced by factories,” he said.
Highlighting India’s foodgrain success under PM Modi, Chouhan shared that production has risen by 44% in the last 11 years, including record yields in rice, wheat, and maize. He lauded Jammu & Kashmir’s agricultural produce for its exceptional quality and flavor, envisioning the region as a global horticulture hub.
He announced the setting up of a ₹150 crore ‘Clean Plant Center’ to provide disease-free planting material and increase yield. “Apple productivity in J&K has gone from 10 to 60 tonnes per hectare. I want Kashmiri apples exported worldwide,” he added.
Encouraging innovation, he urged students to launch startups and contribute to natural farming and sustainable agriculture. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he said, “Man is a storehouse of infinite strength; there is nothing he cannot achieve.”
Shri Chouhan outlined PM Modi’s six-point agricultural strategy and stressed collective efforts for development with the mantra: “Peace, not war; love, not hatred.” Nearly 5,250 students received degrees, with 150 gold medals and 445 merit certificates awarded.
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