SKUAST Kashmir Flags Off First Batch of BTech AI Students to IIT Mandi

SRINAGAR, July 30 — Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir marked an academic milestone today as Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai flagged off the inaugural batch of BTech Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture students heading to IIT Mandi for their third-year studies.

The collaborative degree program integrates advanced computing technologies—including machine learning, robotics, IoT, and climate intelligence—with agricultural sciences, making it one of the first interdisciplinary initiatives of its kind in India.Having completed two years of foundational training in engineering, deep learning, and agricultural domain knowledge at SKUAST Kashmir, the students will spend two semesters at IIT Mandi taking specialized courses in automation, vision-based control systems, and robotics while accessing the institute’s research laboratories and startup ecosystem.

Addressing the gathering, Nazir Ahmad Ganai described the occasion as a historic event in agricultural education, emphasizing that the future of farming lies in automation and digital transformation, while urging the students to leverage their training to address real-world challenges in climate resilience and food security.

Associate Dean Rohitashw Kumar noted that the future-ready curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, the India AI Mission, and the Digital Agriculture Mission to prepare graduates for leadership roles in agri-tech innovation and entrepreneurship.