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NABARD Boosts Rural Innovation in J&K, Ladakh
6 May
Summary
- NABARD DMD reviewed rural business incubation progress.
- Center fosters agri-business and rural entrepreneurship.
- NABARD committed to strengthening the startup ecosystem.
Deputy Managing Director of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Dr. AK Sood, recently conducted a review of the Rural Business Incubation Centre (RBIC) at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). The visit focused on assessing infrastructure development aimed at promoting agri-business and rural entrepreneurship.
The RBIC at SKUAST-K operates with a hub-and-spoke model, with Shalimar campus as the central hub. Specialized university facilities like dairy processing and biofertilizer production serve as spokes, providing essential support to incubatees. Dr. Sood praised this model, emphasizing the vital role of integrating academic resources with business incubation for technological advancement in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the visit, the first newsletter, Ruralpreneur, was launched, detailing the center's achievements over its initial six months. NABARD pledged continued support to enhance the incubation framework and ensure the sustainability of the region's startup ecosystem. Future plans include developing a Techno Park to offer world-class facilities for new ventures.
Dr. Sood also toured the Innovation Building, inspecting co-working pods and conference halls designed to support aspiring agri-entrepreneurs. The RBIC's mission is to extend its reach across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh to identify and nurture talent in even the most remote areas.
