Jammu & Kashmir’s agricultural ecosystem is supported by a network of institutions that hold immense potential to transform rural livelihoods. The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir and Jammu campuses, along with the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture and Animal Husbandry, do very important work, conduct vital research, implement development programs and maintain a strong presence across villages and farmlands. They organize workshops, host seminars, welcome eminent personalities, officials and showcase their initiatives through regular press releases and media coverage.
While such outreach highlights activity, it often serves as public relations rather than public knowledge. The public, especially farmers and rural youth, is rarely informed about what truly matters: the measurable impact of these programs, what innovations are succeeding or failing and, importantly, how these efforts can improve incomes, productivity and economic opportunities. Citizens want to know which interventions are making a real difference on the ground, which technologies are working and where resources could be better directed.
These institutions sit on a wealth of data, from crop yields and livestock productivity to market linkages, skill development and rural entrepreneurship, that could inform decisions at the farm, community and policy levels. Yet much of this knowledge remains inaccessible to the very people it is meant to benefit. Farmers and youth are eager for guidance, insights and evidence-based recommendations, but current communications prioritize ceremonial events over actionable information.
SKUAST Kashmir and Jammu and the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Floriculture and Animal Husbandry must rethink their public information strategies. Research and dissemination wings need to move beyond announcements to analyze impact, compile statistics and translate findings into accessible knowledge for farmers, entrepreneurs and policymakers. Public reporting should include case studies, performance metrics and evidence-based assessments to guide decision-making and resource allocation.
Ziraat Times often finds itself in crunch situations, when it is faced with coverage of events and dissemination of knowledge. Limited time and human resources dictate we prioritize knowledge dissemination. How much we wish we could cover all.
By placing high-quality information in the public domain, these institutions can empower farmers to adopt effective practices, help youth explore new economic avenues and guide policymakers toward impactful interventions. Evidence-driven communication is a global best practice. Times have changed. Our agricultural universities and allied departments have the data, expertise and reach to transform rural Jammu & Kashmir. The time has come for them to ensure that their work does more than generate headlines — it changes lives.
