Kangra youth encouraged to explore agri-entrepreneurship
As the youth of Kangra district increasingly turn their backs on agriculture, perceiving it as an unprofitable and outdated profession, the Department of Agriculture has stepped in with a mission to inspire them. The department is encouraging young people to revive barren ancestral fields and transform agriculture into a profitable venture through counselling sessions with successful agri-entrepreneurs.
The initiative aims to motivate the youth by sharing real-life success stories of farmers who have carved niches for themselves in various sectors. These entrepreneurs have adopted innovative farming techniques such as off-season vegetable and flower nurseries, vegetable and fruit processing, turmeric processing, vermi-composting, polyhouse farming, hydroponics, and establishing dairy units, among other lucrative options. Dr Kuldip Dhiman, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Kangra, while speaking to The Tribune, explained that many successful entrepreneurs have adopted a multisectoral approach to farming based on available resources.
A new initiative plans to identify these agri-entrepreneurs and arrange lectures for outgoing college students to inspire them to consider agri-business as a viable career. According to Dr Dhiman, Agriculture Development Officers (ADOs) have already identified successful entrepreneurs in the district, and efforts are underway to arrange their lectures at various educational institutions in collaboration with school and college managements. It aims to reach all government and private educational institutions before March 31, 2025, with plans to continue offering monthly lectures in colleges thereafter.
Experts believe that this initiative will help cultivate a business mindset among students. Additionally, students will be motivated to apply for loans from the “Agriculture Infrastructure Development Fund” to set up agri-businesses. Dr Dhiman explained that banks offer loans of up to Rs 2 crore at easy interest rates with a 3% interest subvention for seven years.
Initially, the lectures will be voluntary, but in the future, both government and private colleges will be encouraged to allocate funds to provide honorariums to the resource persons starting from the next year.
