A one-week intensive entrepreneurship skill development program, backed by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the Government of India, focused on unlocking entrepreneurial opportunities within the realm of commercial floriculture and crafting effective management strategies for budding startups. This enlightening initiative was orchestrated by the Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture within the Faculty of Horticulture at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K).
Sohail Allaqband, the distinguished representative from the Ministry of MSME, extended his insights to the enthusiastic participants, with a particular emphasis on the potential of this training program to pave the way for them to establish their own startups and become visionary entrepreneurs in the nation’s entrepreneurial landscape.
An important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalized between Biocarve Seeds and SKUAST-K, marking a significant step towards enhancing the floriculture sector in Kashmir. Prof. Allah Rang, the founder director of Biocarve Seeds, offered a glimpse into their remarkable journey, illustrating the establishment of an expansive 8000 kanals farm across various regions of Punjab. He also shared how his team, armed with technical expertise and crucial financial support, successfully connected grassroots farmers in Punjab to the realm of commercial floriculture. Prof. Rang aspired to replicate this success story for the benefit of Kashmiri farmers, facilitating the growth of their income through engagement in commercial floriculture. Furthermore, he expressed a desire to open doors for these farmers to access international markets, including the Netherlands, through a buy-back policy.
The esteemed Chief Guest, Prof. Haroon Naik, Director of Planning and Monitoring, underscored SKUAST-K’s pivotal role in nurturing budding entrepreneurs through skill-focused programs, generously sponsored by the Ministry of MSME. He shared his visionary perspective on commercial floriculture, highlighting it as a substantial avenue for young aspirants to establish themselves as successful entrepreneurs, with promising prospects in international markets.
Professor Naik also commended the innovative leadership of Vice Chancellor Professor Nazir A. Ganie, which has culminated in SKUAST-K emerging as the country’s premier agricultural university. In his address, Vice Chancellor Professor Ganie expressed the University’s strong commitment to fostering commercial floriculture, thereby offering a pathway for educated youth to improve their socio-economic status through entrepreneurship.
Professor Nelofer, from the Floriculture Division, enlightened the audience about the pivotal role of floriculture in fostering sustainable development, shedding light on the environmentally friendly aspects of the sector.
During an engaging interaction session, Dr. Z. A. Rather, Dr. Z. A. Qadri, Dr. Zahoor A. Rather, Dr. Riaz, and other participants engaged in a productive discussion about the roadmap to commercialization. Dr. Nasir Masoodi offered a comprehensive overview of the program, elucidating the myriad opportunities it presents to the youth in the field of floriculture.
Professor Imtiyaz T. Nazki, Head of the Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture at SKUAST-K, passionately addressed the participants, emphasizing key factors that could propel the commercial floriculture sector in Kashmir to new heights. He stressed the significance of niche crops and the region’s favorable agro-climatic conditions as pivotal elements for success.
Finally, Professor F. U. Khan extended a warm vote of gratitude to the chief guest and all the distinguished delegates, acknowledging their contributions to this enlightening program.
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