The Jammu and Kashmir government has officially transferred a substantial parcel of land — measuring 500 kanals and 11 marlas — in Sallar, located in the Anantnag district, to the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir for the establishment of its South Campus. This development was announced on Thursday in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in response to an unstarred question by MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani regarding progress on the proposed campus.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Land Transfer and Possession
According to information provided by the Agriculture Production Department, the land under Survey No. 2009 (min) has been formally transferred to SKUAST-Kashmir through Government Order No. 146-JK (Rev) of 2023, issued on 14 September 2023. The transfer reflects the government’s continued commitment to expanding agricultural education and research infrastructure in the southern region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The department further clarified that possession of the entire land has been taken, and fencing of the parcel has been completed, ensuring readiness for future development activities. This demarcation underscores the government’s intent to safeguard the land and begin phased development as approvals are secured.
Vision for the South Campus
The transferred land is earmarked for the South Campus of SKUAST-Kashmir, a strategic initiative aimed at broadening the university’s reach and promoting agricultural education, research, and field activities in the southern belt of the Union Territory. However, the government noted that the campus’s conceptual development plan, including specific infrastructure projects and execution timelines, are not yet finalized and will be determined after obtaining the requisite approvals from competent authorities.
Funding and Current Utilization
For the current financial year 2025-26, the government disclosed that Rs 1.00 crore has been allocated from SKUAST-Kashmir’s internal revenue to support Research and Experimentation (R&E) activities. This allocation reflects a focused effort to enhance on-ground research capabilities even as long–term campus plans are being shaped.
According to the Agriculture Production Department, this fund has already been utilized for several early-stage developmental activities, including:
- Construction of a pre-fabricated structure to serve as a camp office for administrative and academic functions.
- Creation of raceways for trout fish development, underscoring an emphasis on aquaculture research.
- Various land development works to prepare the site for future expansion and research use.
These preliminary activities aim to foster an operational presence at the Sallar site and build momentum for the campus’s broader vision.
Strategic Importance
The decision to establish a South Campus of SKUAST-Kashmir in Anantnag carries significant educational and socio-economic implications:
- Educational accessibility: A southern campus will bring SKUAST’s academic and training programs closer to students and farming communities in the southern districts of J&K, reducing travel barriers and fostering local talent.
- Research expansion: The campus provides space for region-specific agricultural research, which can address local farming challenges, crop diversification, and allied sectors such as aquaculture and horticulture.
- Economic uplift: Through research, training, and extension services, the campus can contribute to enhanced productivity and livelihoods in agriculture and allied sectors across the southern region.
Government Commitment
The transfer of land and initial funding for infrastructure and research signifies the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural education and research in Jammu and Kashmir. While detailed plans and timelines for the South Campus are pending, the groundwork laid so far — including land acquisition, fencing, and preliminary facilities — establishes a foundation for future growth.
As the project evolves, further announcements regarding structural construction, funding support from the union and state sources, and strategic partnerships are expected, aligning with SKUAST-Kashmir’s mandate to serve as a premier agricultural university in the region.
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