JAMMU, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 — The second day of the Agriculture Summit and Kisan Mela–2026 at SKUAST-Jammu transformed the Chatha campus into a bustling hub of innovation, bridging the gap between scientific research and field application. A landmark Industry–Academia–Farmer Meet served as the day’s centerpiece, bringing together over 30 agri-startups, industrial leaders, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.N. Tripathi opened the session by emphasizing that the University’s research and education must mirror market realities, highlighting new milestones such as industry-sponsored internships and the establishment of the Bayer Learning Centre to boost student employability and entrepreneurship.
The summit’s collaborative spirit was echoed by Guest of Honour Dr. Owais Ahmad, who advocated for structured internships to prepare “job-ready” graduates for the evolving agricultural landscape. Following high-level panel discussions on bridging the gap between ivory-tower research and practical farming, the event shifted focus to climate resilience.
The Agrometeorology Section hosted an awareness program on agro-advisory services, where more than 100 farmers learned strategies for resource conservation. To encourage sustainable practices, the University distributed 210 mango and citrus saplings, while environmentalist O.P. Vidyarthi highlighted the critical role of biodiversity in mitigating climate change.
Beyond the technical deliberations, the mela adopted a festive atmosphere with a widely attended dog show and a series of sports and recreational competitions.
These public outreach events, combined with the technical sessions, reinforced SKUAST-Jammu’s mission to foster a holistic agricultural ecosystem where technology, tradition, and community engagement coexist.
