SRINAGAR, 5 July 2025: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday called upon the region’s youth to lead a new green revolution, describing agriculture as the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy and identity.
Speaking at the sixth convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Abdullah said more than 70 per cent of J&K’s population is directly or indirectly linked to agriculture.
“J&K’s future rests in the hands of its young scientists. They are not just receiving degrees; they are becoming grassroots problem-solvers,” Abdullah told the gathering of students, researchers, and academics.
The convocation saw 5,250 students conferred with undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. Of these, 150 received gold medals and 445 were awarded certificates of merit.
Mr. Abdullah, who is also Pro-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, lauded the university’s role in advancing research on temperate horticulture, sustainable farming, organic practices, and animal husbandry. He linked these achievements to the visionary ideals of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, which he said continue to inspire the university.
However, he cautioned that today’s agriculture faces challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, market instability, and shifting youth aspirations. “The agriculture of yesterday cannot deliver solutions to today’s challenges,” he said.
The Chief Minister cited the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, with an investment of over INR 5,000 crore, as a critical initiative to transform agriculture into a high-value, technology-driven sector. This programme includes 29 significant projects covering high-density orchards, saffron revitalisation, dairy modernisation, and precision farming, among others.
He called upon the graduating students to become entrepreneurs, collaborate with farmer groups, digitise agricultural extension services, and deliver science-backed solutions directly to rural communities.
“The world needs not just your knowledge, but your courage, compassion, and character,” Abdullah said. “Be bold with your ideas and stay rooted in your soil.”
He also urged students to reflect on how they could help double farmers’ incomes, develop climate-smart solutions, create rural enterprises, and mentor future generations.
“If your answer is yes, then you will have the full support of the Jammu and Kashmir government,” he assured the graduates.
