Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar skipped his visit to Jammu on Thursday as his aircraft could not land here due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility.

The vice-president was scheduled to attend the 8th Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu as chief guest.

His aircraft landed at the Pathankot IAF station from where he proceeded to Kathua to inaugurate a Mega Expo under the theme “Emerging StartUp Trends in North India.”

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh received Dhankhar at Pathankot. Officers of the Punjab government were also present at the airport.

Addressing the convocation, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended his felicitations to the women students for their excellent academic performance across the subjects and securing 10 Gold Medals out of total 11.

With their talent, intellect and skill, young women are gaining prominence in Agricultural Science and Technology. The number of degrees and awards to our proud daughters is heartening. They are the role models for the young generation and have set an example by hard work in pursuit of excellence, he said.

“Our daughters constitute the core and strength of the innovation ecosystem. It is a matter of pride and there is a need for scaling up the presence of women scientists and tech entrepreneurs at all levels to secure the progress of the nation,” the Lt Governor said.

Acknowledging the important contribution of women in agricultural development and allied sectors, the Lt Governor said, “Women have toiled hard as unsung heroes in the field since the start of agriculture thousand years ago. Now, their achievements in agricultural science and technology give us the hope and confidence that they will produce path-breaking discoveries and inventions in agriculture”.

At the convocation, the Lt Governor called upon agricultural universities and educational institutions to develop innovative agriculture technologies and enhance productive capabilities of the farmers.

As Jammu Kashmir leaps towards building a modern and sustainable agriculture and allied industry through Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), educational institutions will have to take innovative approaches to minimize the input cost for farmers and maximise output with efficient growing techniques and technological support, he said.

“A huge opportunity awaits India in Agri Innovation, Agri Technology and Processed Food and institutions like SKUAST will play a major role in creating cutting-edge technology and new methods to revolutionise the food processing sector,” the Lt Governor further added.

He further advised the SKUAST Jammu to work on a dedicated project with immense export potential like Tulip’s planting material that could address the agriculture & allied sector’s needs of the country.