On day two of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the sixth convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), where he conferred degrees upon over 5,000 students and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to empowering farmers and transforming J&K into a global horticulture hub.
Chouhan described the region as the “crown jewel of India”, praising the natural beauty and warmth of the people. “The fragrance of the soil, the cool breeze, it touches the soul,” he said, adding that a strong and prosperous Jammu & Kashmir is essential for realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a "Viksit Bharat".
He recalled an earlier appeal by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a NITI Aayog meeting, urging ministers to hold official reviews in the region. “We accepted the invitation. Yesterday, we conducted a thorough review with the Chief Minister on agriculture and rural development,” he said.
Chouhan lauded the efforts of SKUAST-K, calling it a nationally and globally recognised institution. “The convocation isn’t the end of learning but the beginning of a new journey,” he told graduates, urging them to apply their knowledge for public good and explore opportunities in agricultural innovation and startups.
The Minister stressed agriculture’s critical role in India’s future. “Agricultural produce cannot be made in factories. Without farming, neither the country nor the world can survive,” he said. He noted a 44% jump in India’s foodgrain production over the past 11 years and highlighted record growth in crops like rice, wheat, and soybean under PM Modi’s leadership.
As part of the government's ongoing push for agricultural reform in J&K, Chouhan announced the setting up of a Rs 150 crore Clean Plant Center under the MIDH scheme. The initiative aims to reduce the reliance on imported planting material, which often carries viruses, and boost the region’s horticulture output.
He pointed to a six-fold increase in apple yields, from 10 to 60 tonnes per hectare in some orchards, as evidence of the state's farming potential. “I want Kashmiri apples to reach international markets so that India no longer needs to import apples,” he added.
The Minister reiterated the government’s six-point strategy for farming: increasing production, reducing input costs, ensuring fair prices, providing compensation for losses, diversifying crops, and promoting natural farming to preserve soil health.
Quoting Swami Vivekananda, Chouhan urged students to “move forward with purpose” and serve the nation with dedication. He also visited border villages with agricultural scientists and said that development must reach even the most remote corners of the country.
The convocation ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah, Deputy CM Rajendra Chaudhary, Education Minister Sakina Masood, and other senior officials and dignitaries.
