Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday lauded the growing leadership of women in agricultural science and innovation while addressing the 9th Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) here.
The occasion also marked the university’s 25th anniversary, celebrated with the presence of dignitaries, faculty, and graduating students.
In a rousing address, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated all degree recipients, especially highlighting the outstanding performance of women scholars. “Out of 8 gold medallists in graduate and post-graduate categories, 7 are our daughters. In PhD and PG streams, 32 of the 35 Merit Certificates have been awarded to women. This is a symbol of the rising influence of Nari Shakti in the agriculture and allied sectors,” LG Sinha said.
He emphasized that women-led development is reshaping agriculture, particularly in critical domains such as climate-smart crops, pest management, biotechnology, and organic farming. “The participation of women scientists and researchers has brought a fresh wave of innovation, improving both productivity and sustainability,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed immense pride in the growing presence of women in science and academia, stating that their leadership will be pivotal in achieving self-reliance for marginal and smallholder farmers through research-driven, field-focused solutions.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers, LG Sinha spoke about the transformative impact of initiatives like the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the J&K Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP). “From seed to market—Beej se Bazar tak—our goal has been total transformation,” he noted, underscoring the success of the ‘Lab to Land’ model in J&K.
Encouraging young scientists to embrace smart farming and modern agri-technologies, the Lieutenant Governor spoke of emerging opportunities in seed development, mechanization, food processing, and quality control.
In a major milestone for SKUAST-Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ex-Situ Gene Bank, making it the third such institution in India. The facility will conserve vital genetic resources, including seeds, plant tissues, and animal germplasm, paving the way for advanced breeding and resilient crop research.
He also laid the foundation stones for a 200-bed Farmers’ Hostel and a new Faculty Building with shared academic infrastructure—steps aimed at strengthening the university’s research and outreach capacity.
A total of 446 degrees were conferred at the convocation, including 157 Master’s degrees, 46 Doctorates, and 243 Undergraduate degrees. Eight gold medals were awarded to meritorious students for academic excellence.
Omar Abdullah also applauded the outstanding performance of girl students securing 252 out of 446 degrees, 7 of 8 gold medals, and 32 of 35 merit certificates. A shining example of women excelling in agri-education and research.
The Chief Minister lauded the role of agricultural scientists, faculty & students in driving innovation and called for farmer-centric research to build a self-reliant J&K.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including; Agriculture Production Minister Javid Ahmad Dar; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Principal Secretary Agriculture Shailendra Kumar; and Dr. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu. Members of the University Council, Board of Management, and Vice Chancellors from other universities were also present.