Jammu, March 2, 2026 : Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo inaugurated a landmark Industry–Startup Outreach Programme organised by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu under the Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP).
The programme brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), academicians and students to strengthen industry–academia–startup linkages across the Union Territory.
Focus on Enterprise-Driven FPOs
Highlighting the need for transformation in the agri-sector, Dulloo urged FPOs to move beyond aggregation towards enterprise-oriented models focused on processing, packaging, branding and value addition to enhance farmers’ incomes.
He outlined the “4 Cs” — Culture, Capacity Building, Commercialization and Connectivity — as pillars for startup success, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ease of doing business, ecosystem strengthening and improved credit access through robust banking partnerships.
Tapping J&K’s Untapped Potential
Despite J&K’s strong production base in wool, trout fisheries, floriculture and medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), Dulloo noted that processing infrastructure remains limited and requires focused expansion.
He expressed hope that the outreach initiative would evolve into a sustained partnership model, positioning Jammu & Kashmir as a vibrant agri-entrepreneurship hub under JKCIP, HADP and Mission YUVA, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Strengthening Industry Linkages
Vice Chancellor Prof. B.N. Tripathi described hosting the programme outside campus as symbolic of universities evolving into engines of entrepreneurship and regional growth. He highlighted milestones such as the Bayer Learning Centre and the induction of Professors of Practice from industry.
He revealed that over 120 startup ideas in agriculture and allied sectors have been incubated, with more than 32 receiving funding from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. However, he stressed that structured mentorship in scaling, compliance and commercialization remains critical.
Industry representatives including Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology Jammu, Indian Institute of Management Jammu, UTLBC, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and District Industries Centre Jammu participated in the discussions.
The event concluded with two panel discussions aimed at fostering collaborative growth across the agri-startup ecosystem.
