Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai Thursday called for inculcating entrepreneurial culture among youth adding that education system needs to be made more skill oriented in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, food processing and others.Inaugurating a seminar “Growth and Development in North-Western Region; Issues and Perspectives” organized by department of Economics Kashmir University here today, Mr. Ganai asked the youth to create start-ups and benefit from various schemes launched by state and central government. He said youths should become job creators instead of being job seekers. Mr. Ganai said that Jammu and Kashmir has a Gross State Domestic Produce (GSDP) of around Rs one lakh crore out of which Rs 20000 crore is being contributed by Agriculture sector alone. He said it is high time that we modernize our agriculture in a way that it becomes both modernized and sustainable in tune with our fragile environment. He said that government is spending around Rs 1500 crores on agriculture sector and this needs to be scaled up.
Pointing towards the ancient Trade links J&K had with South and Central Asia, the Advisor said the State boosts of many trades and sectors of economy like Handicrafts and Cuisine which have their roots in these regions. He asked the scholars, students, entrepreneurs to study the changing economies and expanding markets of these regions for lessons back home.Mr Ganai however stressed on the need to preserve the ecology of Kashmir’s fragile environment while moving on the path of progress. He said world over and even in the country thrust is being given to ensure clean environment and green industry which the State already has but needs to be protected on all costs. He expressed his concern over the shrinking farmlands and called for a strong land policy. There needs to be a policy to decongest the valley and restore its pristine beauty. He also appealed people to cooperate and help the government in ensuring maintenance of environment and ecology of the State. Even Tourism sector needs to be strictly made “Clean Tourism that doesn’t pollute”, he added.The Advisor said that need to stress on feasible self sustaining industries with priority being given to services sector. He said that Handicrafts is potential sector where commitment to quality can do wonders with our economy. He said Kashmir Pashmina has already been awarded the GI registration and now time is to exploit its potential.