How a Kashmir agri university became J&K's most unlikely startup engine
How SKUAST-Kashmir became J&K’s unlikely startup engine under Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, turning agricultural research, patents and policy into startups and jobs.
In a surprising turn, Kashmir's agricultural university, SKUAST-Kashmir, has transformed into an unlikely startup engine. Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai spearheaded the change, shifting the university's focus from academic papers and grades to patents, products and employment for graduates. The university adopted the ICAR Sixth Deans Committee report, aligning its education with the National Education Policy 2020, and launched India's first BTech in Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, among others.
Prof Ganai doubled the number of teachers, improved enrolment, and introduced a "Degree by Design" model, attracting national attention. The government's Rs 5,013 crore farm program, led by SKUAST-K, has registered over 3.7 lakh farmers and created more than 92,000 productive units. The university has also secured 47 patents, released 18 climate-resilient crop varieties, and created India's first gene-edited sheep, Tarmeem.
In just five years, the university has become the benchmark for Jammu and Kashmir's startup ecosystem, with its Incubation Centre receiving the Incubator of the Year award.
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