With lavender plantations in Bhaderwah town, district Doda, taking center stage, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has made a huge breakthrough in agriculture and is now a model state for the rest of India. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, highlighted this achievement during the Republic Day celebration, where a tableau depicting the lavender farms adorned Kartavya Path in the national capital. Dr Singh spoke about the commendable role played by the youth of J&K associated with the Aroma StartUps ecosystem. These young individuals have emerged as brand ambassadors of the Purple Revolution, making significant contributions to the agricultural landscape across the country.
Innovative Meeting for Startup Promotion
The Union Minister, after chairing a groundbreaking meeting with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), including members from District Development Councils (DDCs), emphasized the need to foster connections with society for promoting startups in the region. The meeting took place at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine in Jammu.
Aroma Mission's Success Story
Describing J&K’s Aroma Mission as a success story, Dr Jitendra Singh urged stakeholders to invest time and efforts in exploring unexplored or under-explored areas. He believes that these areas hold the key to propelling India’s economy, with agricultural startups emerging as avenues of self-employment for the youth of the Union Territory.
Call for Public-Private Partnership in Agri Startups
Dr Jitendra Singh pitched for increased public-private partnerships in agri startups, emphasizing the end of the era of silos. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the two sectors and called upon DDC members to generate awareness about cultivating Himalayan resources like lavender. This, he believes, will encourage more youth in their areas to join agri startups, fostering sustainable livelihoods and contributing to India’s GDP.
Research Initiatives for Regional Crop Feasibility
The Minister urged CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) to conduct research on feasible crops based on the topography of different regions of Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative aims to identify crops that can thrive in diverse terrains, supporting the growth of agri startups.
Growing Engagement in the Agri-Startup Ecosystem
Dr Jitendra Singh stressed the need to engage more people in the agri-startup ecosystem. He highlighted the remarkable growth in the number of startups in the country in the last decade, exceeding the one-and-a-half lakh mark. The Minister also emphasized the significant increase in India's bio-economy, now valued at over 140 billion from 10 billion a decade ago.
India's Leadership in Preventive Healthcare and Space Sector
Expressing happiness over India's recognition as a leader in preventive healthcare globally, Dr Jitendra Singh credited the much-recognized vaccine program for saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shifting focus to the space sector, he highlighted the substantial investment of over one thousand crore rupees in the past eight months and the government's ambitious target of attracting more than 40 billion dollars in investment by 2040.
According to a recent ADL (Arthur D Little) Report, India is projected to exceed this target, reaching 100 billion dollars by 2040, showcasing the transformative reforms undertaken in the sector since Prime Minister Modi's tenure.
