Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) was established in the year 1982 through an Act of the J&K Assembly, with its headquarter at Shalimar, Srinagar. In the year 1998 – 99, the University was renamed as Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir) with its territorial jurisdiction over the temperate region of Kashmir and cold arid desert region of Ladakh. SKUAST-K stands for “Quality of Life of People” through food, nutritional and economic security; food safety & clean environment; natural resource conservation for sustainable agriculture. Its endeavour is to build a knowledge based bio-economy in J&K, through comprehensive and integrated development of agriculture and all allied sectors, to provide a sustainable solution to the fragile economy of the state. For the purpose it has a huge multi-campus infrastructure with 05 faculties offering 07 UG degree and 62 Post-graduate degree programs. It also has 13 Krishi VighianKendras (Rural Outreach Centres) and 27 region/ climate/ crop specific Research Stations. It imparts education in different branches of study in agriculture, horticulture, veterinary and animal sciences, forestry, fisheries, agricultural engineering, food science, environmental sciences, sericulture and other allied sciences. SKUAST-K is a leading university in mountain agriculture and has developed several high yielding crop varieties and innovative technologies which have made great impact on food security in the region. It has IPR&TM Cell and SKIIE Centre, to foster creation of innovative technologies and manage those technologies and other intellectual property for the benefit of university & society. SKUAST-Kashmir is ranked 10th best among 75 state agricultural universities in India, and is the winner of the India Innovation Growth Program (IIGP) for two consecutive years of 2018 and 2019. It is a partner to the National Agricultural Higher Education Program (NAHEP) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), with a vision of building a Model Higher Education System in Agriculture in India. For the purpose it is innovating to make SKUAST-Kashmir as a preferred destination for Agri education for its creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, diversity and equity. A good number of foreign students are now finding it a destination for higher education in agriculture.
