SKUAST-K launches rural exploration programme to transform agri education

The initiative, introduced under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, witnessed a large-scale grassroots outreach as more than 3,000 students fanned out to over 300 university-adopted villages across the Kashmir Valley.

Moving beyond traditional classroom learning, the programme focuses on immersive field experiences aimed at bridging the gap between scientific advancements and indigenous farming practices. The effort seeks to equip future agricultural professionals with a deeper understanding of rural livelihoods.

“The Student Rural Exploration Program is not just an academic initiative—it is a transformational movement,” Prof Ganai said. “By placing students directly in villages, we are creating a bridge between science and society while generating real-time rural insights and empowering communities.”

The programme follows a multidisciplinary approach, involving students from faculties such as agriculture, horticulture, veterinary sciences, fisheries, sericulture, forestry, and agricultural engineering. Each team comprises undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students working under the guidance of a scientist mentor.

Described as a first-of-its-kind university-led effort at such scale, the teams are conducting Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)-based surveys, giving students hands-on exposure to the complexities of rural economies across diverse terrains.

The initiative is designed to benefit both students and farmers. While students gain practical experience and collect field data, farmers receive technical guidance, diagnostic support and information on government schemes and modern agricultural practices.

The university also aims to strengthen ties with farming communities by promoting the adoption of improved technologies, including quality seeds, resilient crop varieties, and superior livestock breeds. Additionally, the programme is expected to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup culture in the rural sector.

Senior university officials, including deans and directors, monitored the rollout across districts to ensure effective implementation and meaningful field engagement.

Hailed as a potential game-changer in agricultural education, the SREP will now be a permanent feature of the university’s academic calendar, with field visits scheduled every fortnight.