Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 24: Professor J.P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu appreciated the innovative agri-business ideas and products showcased by potential agri-entrepreneurs having the scope of tapping the opportunities and gaps present in the agriculture sector. Prof. Sharma was speaking while chairing the ninth R-ABI Incubation Committee (RIC) meeting of Agri-Business Incubator, SKUAST-Jammu under the RKVY-RAFTAAR project. Candidates were evaluated for admission to 6th batch of two months agri-entrepreneurship training programmes whereas incubates of 5th batch were evaluated for recommending them to Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, GoI for funding under RKVY-RAFTAAR project. Certificates were also distributed to candidates of 5th batch for successful completion of their two month agri-entrepreneurship training. Prof. Sharma in his concluding remarks said that special attention needs be given to the fact that business ideas should be technically feasible as well as economically viable. Motivating students to become agri-entrepreneurs, natural farming, infrastructure development, vocational education, brain storming on critical problems and hand holding of start-ups were listed as key action points by him. He expressed satisfaction that Agri-Business Incubator, SKUAST-J is taking the right steps in this direction and appreciated Prof. Jyoti Kachroo, Director P&M, Head AEABM and P.I of the project and her team for their efforts in nurturing and developing agri start-ups through A.B.I, SKUAST-Jammu.
Earlier, Prof. Jyoti Kachroo welcomed Chairman and all the esteemed RIC members. She informed the august house about the constructive role being played by A.B.I SKUAST-J in the training & development of agri start-ups under the project. She also outlined that 5 batches of agri-entrepreneurs have already been incubated at SKUAST-Jammu and funding to the tune of Rs. 1.38 crores in total has been sanctioned in favor of 14 incubates.
All the candidates presented their innovative concepts and agri-business plans before the committee. The experts from different fields viz. Prof. Ashok Aima, Former Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, Prof. Dileep Kachroo, Ex-Registrar, SKUAST-Jammu, Dr. Pradeep Wali, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu, Sh. Mahesh Kr. Verma, Joint Director, Agril. Marketing; Mr. P.G Praveen, AGM, NABARD, Mr. Annil Suri, MD, AB Industries, Jammu, Mr. Kiran RS, ICAR-IARI nominee, New Delhi attended the meeting and evaluated the business ideas of the participants. Co P.I’s of the project namely Dr. Sudhakar Dwivedi, Professor, Dr. S.P Singh, Assoc. Prof. and Dr. Anil Bhat, Asst. Prof; division of AEABM were also present during the meeting. The proceedings of the meeting were conducted by Dr. Yamini Raut & Mr. Tarunjeet Singh from A.B.I SKUAST-J. At the end, vote of thanks was presented by Prof. Jyoti Kachroo thanking all the distinguished dignitaries for their valuable time & participation. |
