STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir on Wednesday delivered a distinguished lecture on ‘Agripreneurship for Atmanirbhar Bharat’ under the Distinguished Lecture Series of the World Bank Funded NAHEP project entitled “CAAST-Advanced Centre for Livestock Health” of ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P.
While inaugurating the programme Dr Triveni Dutt, Director and Vice Chancellor of ICAR-IVRI welcomed the speaker Dr J.P Sharma. In his lecture, Prof Sharma emphasized that the entrepreneurship development in agriculture will pave the path of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Dr Sharma informed that agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58 per cent of India’s population. The share of agriculture in gross domestic product (GDP) has reached almost 20 per cent for the first time in the last 17 years, making it the sole bright spot in GDP performance during 2020-21.The resilience of the farming community in the face of adversities posed by COVID pandemic made agriculture the only sector to have clocked a positive growth of 3.4 per cent at constant prices in 2020-21, when other sectors slid.
Prof Sharma elaborated that “When agriculture moves forward in the form of industry, agripreneurship opportunities are going to be created in the rural areas on a large scale.” This will create employment opportunities in the rural areas and our educated youth will get jobs in rural areas. He urged for diversification of horticulture in hilly areas of J&K.
He urged the rural youth to come forward in the field of entrepreneurship for self-employment and income generation.
Dr J P Sharma urged on processing, value addition, branding, packaging and marketing of commodities especially milk and milk products, vegetables and fruits where the losses are high and due to losses the value of these commodities declines sharply. Besides, he emphasized on developing marketing intelligence among farmers for better realization of their produce. He also regarded skill development and ARYA as the major schemes of the Government of India which can make rural youth entrepreneurs.
The programme was coordinated by Dr Rupasi Tiwari, PS & Incharge ATIC who threw light on the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self-reliant India Movement) which was announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on May 12, 2020 with a special economic & comprehensive package of Rs 20 lakh crores which was aimed towards achieving the mission.