Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry awards SKUAST-K with ‘Excellence in Agri-Incubation Award’ 2025

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-01-19 13:03:05 |

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Srinagar, Jan 18: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Excellence in Agri-Incubation Award’ 2025 by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCC) in association with ITC and AIC of India. The award recognizes the university's Innovation centre (SKIIE) exceptional & commendable efforts in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector.

The awards aims to promote best practices in innovations, stimulate collaboration, and create Global Agri-networks. 

SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation and Innovation (SKIIE) Centre was selected among 18 participated Agri Incubators across India for this award by Jury Members comprising of members from ITC, APEDA and The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The Award was organized by the BCC in collaboration with ITC & AIC of India. The award was presented to the Chief Executive Officer, SKIIE Centre during a 9th Edition FPO/Agri-Startup meet ceremony at Vishwa Yuvak kendra Convention centre, New Delhi on January 17, 2025 in presence of distinguished attendees included Shri Abhishek Dev, IAS, Chairman, APEDA, Mr Ravi Shankar Sharma, Vice President- Agri, ONDC, Dr. Lavanya R Mundayur, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, AIC of India Limited, Shri Dheeraj Sahu, IAS, Managing Director, SFAC and Mr. Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The event brought together leaders from various industries to celebrate the achievements of institutions and individuals making significant contributions to the global Agri-startup/Innovation ecosystem.

The award was received by Naveed Hamid, Chief Executive Officer of SKUAST K Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship centre (SKIIE) from Shri Abhishek Dev, IAS, Chairman, APEDA in presence of Shri Dheeraj Sahu, IAS, Managing Director, SFAC. Lalit Kharbanda, General Manager, Chief Marketing Officer, AIC and Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

During the Programme, Three Technical Session were conducted viz; From Plough to Profit: Unlocking Markets with Smart Interventions.

From Soil to Silk Road: India’s Role in Feeding the World, and Fertile. Funds: Cultivating Capital for Agricultural Innovation by renowned industry dignitaries like; Dr. Suresh Motwani, General Manager, Solidaridad, Representative from ITC Ltd Naveed Hamid, CEO-SKIIE Centre, Anita Yadav, Associate Project Director, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, Anita Yadav, Associate Project Director, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, Pragati Gokhle, Founder, Market Mirchi,  Arti Pandey, DGM, Branch Manager, New Delhi Branch, ECGC Limited, Himangshu Chauhan, Director, INDIAGRO Consortium Producer Company Limited, NABARD Officials and Lalit Kharbanda, General Manager, Chief Marketing Officer, AIC of India.

SKUAST-K Innovation Centre was recognized for its robust support system, which includes incubation programs, mentorship, IP’s, a thriving startup ecosystem of faculty and students, and access to funding for early-stage startups. The SKIIE Centre, rated as J&K’s top incubator by J&KSTIC, has an impressive record with 67 scalable startups, 50 commercially viable intellectual properties (IP), 252 incubates (both physical and virtual), and a network of 159+ mentors. It also provides state of the art facilities for young innovators and entrepreneurs.

Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, expressed satisfaction on national recognition saying that the award was a testament to SKIIE Centre’s relentless efforts in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among young minds of J&K UT. "Empowering the next generation of agritech leaders is crucial to transforming the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir and making a meaningful contribution to VIKSIT Bharat@2047," he said.

Prof Ganai also congratulated Naveed Hamid, CEO of the SKIIE centre and his Team for bringing this accolade to the university and making us proud at national and international forums.