Jammu, March 5 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the immense potential of agriculture and related sectors in the Union Territory, stating that initiatives like the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) play a crucial role in fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem and promoting innovation-driven enterprises.
The Chief Minister was addressing the Startup Outreach Programme, organized under JKCIP at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, jointly organized by the University and the Jammu and Kashmir's Agriculture Production Department.
Addressing the audience, Chief Minister Abdullah emphasized that young people should transition from being job seekers to job creators by harnessing innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture and related sectors.
Emphasizing the scope of agriculture in the Union Territory, the Chief Minister said, "When we decide on what industry to set up, what its potential is, and if there's a strong possibility of success, agriculture is the answer."
"And with agriculture, we decide on the type of industry to establish."
He noted that there's a widespread misconception that Jammu and Kashmir's economy is solely driven by tourism.
"When I tell people that agriculture and horticulture are equally significant in our SGDP alongside tourism, they are surprised. They don't realize the strength of our agricultural ecosystem. Agriculture and related sectors, including horticulture, fisheries, and apiculture, form a vast economic network," he added, emphasizing that students today face a crucial juncture in their future careers.
Addressing the limitations of government employment, Chief Minister Abdullah candidly told the students that not everyone could secure government jobs.
"You all know that if I say that every one of you will get a government job, I will be proven wrong within a year."
"Because the reality is that not all of you will get government jobs. Some will, but many won't. So what will the rest do?" Chief Minister Abdullah asked.
Explaining the region's economic realities, the Chief Minister said that unlike areas with resources like coal, iron ore, or oil, Jammu and Kashmir must build industries based on its existing strengths.
"If we had coal, iron ore, or oil like other regions, perhaps we could have established large factories here. But that's not our reality. We need to build industries based on what we already have," he added, stressing that agriculture and related activities offer the most viable path for sustainable economic growth in the region.
The Chief Minister said that traditional agricultural practices alone may not be sufficient to sustain livelihoods and called for a shift towards value addition and modern agricultural entrepreneurship.
"There was a time when our youth were deeply involved in traditional farming, but gradually their focus shifted away because agriculture appeared uncertain. Weather disruptions, difficulties in reaching markets, and other challenges discouraged many," he added.
He noted that programs like the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), JKCIP, and Mission YUVA have been designed to transform agriculture into a modern, value-added, and technology-driven sector.
"The land we have is limited. In fact, agricultural land is shrinking compared to what existed twenty or thirty years ago. So, the question is how do we keep agriculture viable? The answer lies in value addition, innovation, and entrepreneurship," he added.
Referring to dairy production as an example, Chief Minister Abdullah highlighted the immense scope for value addition in Jammu and Kashmir.
"In Jammu and Kashmir, we process only about six to seven per cent of the milk we produce. Compare that with Gujarat, where nearly ninety-three per cent of milk undergoes processing and value addition. When you convert milk into products like paneer or khoya, you increase its value significantly," he said.
He also cited opportunities in sectors like meat production, fisheries, honey, fruits, vegetables, and floriculture.
Referring to one of the award-winning young innovators, the Chief Minister said, "The young girl whom we felicitated today noticed that the shelf life of flowers in our region was only about three days. She simply worked on better packaging techniques, and the same flowers could now last for fifteen days. Jammu is a city of temples, and flowers will always be in demand here. This is how a small innovation can create a business opportunity."
Encouraging students to pursue entrepreneurship without fear of failure, Chief Minister Abdullah stressed that innovation often involves risks and setbacks.
"You don't necessarily need a government job to succeed. What you need is intention, an idea, and the passion to do something meaningful. After that, we, whether as a government or as institutions like this university, are here to support you," he said.
"Some people get ideas even while sleeping at night. You might be inspired by entrepreneurs like Elon Musk. His rockets, which are worth billions, sometimes explode in the sky, but he doesn't see that as a failure. He says he learns as much from the explosion as from success."
Urging the youth to overcome fear, Chief Minister Abdullah added, "Do not be afraid of failure. Be afraid of not trying. If you fail, we will help you rise again. Try, innovate, and move forward – we are here to help you achieve success. This is my promise to all of you."
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released four publications and felicitated two startups and two Farmers' Producer Organisations for their achievements.
He also launched 808 new Kisan Khidmat Ghars aimed at strengthening grassroots-level agricultural services across Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme witnessed participation from State Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmed Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, SKUAST-Jammu Vice-Chancellor B.N. Tripathi, Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) Mission Director Sandeep Kumar, SKUAST-Jammu Research Director S.K. Gupta, and Registrar and Dean Faculty of Agriculture Amit Kumar.
The event was also attended by university faculty and staff, entrepreneurs, industrialists, startup founders, and students from various colleges across the Jammu division.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected an exhibition set up within the university premises, where he interacted with students, young entrepreneurs, and representatives of Farmers' Producer Organisations, appreciating their innovative ideas and encouraging them to transform agriculture into a modern, enterprise-driven sector.
