Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J) organised the flag off ceremony for the Students’ Rural Exploration Programme (SREP) 2025 at the Baba Jitto Auditorium, Chatha, under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
Nearly 800 students are participating in this major experiential learning initiative from across all districts of the Jammu division. Minister for Agriculture Production Department, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department Javid Ahmad Dar was the chief guest on the occasion.
While addressing at the event, Javid Dar emphasised the pivotal role of SKUAST-Jammu in driving agricultural growth and improving farmer livelihoods across the Union Territory. He highlighted that universities like this serve as the backbone of scientific innovation, technology dissemination and capacity building in agriculture.
Urging the students to “be like farmers, work for the farmers and work with the farmers”, he stressed that true understanding of agriculture emerges when young professionals share the spirit, resilience and work ethic of the farming community. He said that future of agricultural development in Jammu & Kashmir depends heavily on contribution of students, whose innovation and engagement will strengthen the departmental functioning and sectoral progress.
The Minister stated that SREP offers an invaluable opportunity to observe the real-time challenges across diverse agro-climatic zones and contribute to evidence-based planning. Appreciating the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), he highlighted its essential financial support for the farmer-centric interventions.
He commended SKUAST-Jammu for institutionalising the experiential learning through SREP. He underscored the importance of farmer–scientist communication through platforms such as Radio Kissan Jammu 90.8 FM. He encouraged the students to engage deeply with the rural communities, document indigenous knowledge and contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.
Guest of Honour, Vice-Chancellor, Professor B. N. Tripathi, appreciated the Agriculture Minister in strengthening the university’s academic and extension activities. He underscored the significance of HADP as a transformative initiative that provides critical financial support and strategic direction for betterment of farmers.
He asserted that HADP-funded activities have enhanced field-based learning, improved farmer outreach and enabled documentation of grassroots innovations. He encouraged the students to explore agro-climatic diversity, understand the local challenges and contribute to evidence-based planning and farmer-centric extension efforts through the SREP platform.
Professor S. K. Gupta, Director Research, highlighted the importance of complementing classroom teaching with real-world agricultural exposure. Professor Vinod Gupta, Division of Agricultural Extension Education, presented a detailed overview of the SREP structure.
He explained that students from Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, Horticulture, Dairy Technology, Agricultural Engineering, Biotechnology and Basic Sciences will undertake village profiling, household surveys, resource mapping and community interactions across the Jammu Division.
Professor Sanjay Khar, Director Education, highlighted that SREP builds essential competencies in participatory appraisal, scientific observation and community engagement. Professor Amrish Vaid, Director Extension, stated that SREP enhances student–farmer collaboration, supports documentation of real-time field issues and contributes to identifying need-based interventions under HADP.
The student representatives thereafter shared their expectations from the programme, expressing enthusiasm for participating in hands-on learning and contributing to village documentation and community engagement. The programme was attended by all statutory officers, Directors, faculty members, members from line departments, non-teaching staff and students.
Later, the university inaugurated the brochure of its community radio ration, Radio Kissan Jammu 90.8 FM, a major extension outreach platform designed to deliver agricultural advisories, expert interactions, weather information and success stories to farmers across the region.
Among others present were Director RRD, Jammu, Director Agriculture Jammu, Director Horticulture Jammu, Director Animal Husbandry Jammu and Director Sheep Husbandry Jammu.