Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 28: A 10-day short course on “Entrepreneurship and Startup Opportunities in Entomology,” sponsored by ICAR, concluded today at the Division of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J).
The course, which began on February 19 and concluded today, saw enthusiastic participation from students, researchers, and young professionals from across the country.
Inaugurated by Prof B N Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu, the course focused on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in entomology.
It aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to tackle current challenges in agriculture and pest management through startups. The program featured lectures, hands-on training, and field visits, led by experts from across India.
Dr Anil Sharma, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in transforming agricultural sciences and urged participants to use their newfound knowledge to create impactful ventures in pest management, crop protection and biodiversity conservation.
The course covered a range of topics, including nanotechnology in entrepreneurship, the role of taxonomy in ventures, insect-inspired technologies, molecular entomology, and the use of drones in agriculture. Participants also learned about pollinator conservation, IPM technologies, sericulture, beekeeping entrepreneurship, and even insect tourism and photography as emerging professions.
Field visits to the Butterfly Park and Beekeeping Units offered practical experience in butterfly conservation, hive management, and honey extraction, highlighting the entrepreneurial potential of these fields.
The course concluded with a valedictory ceremony, where Dr R K Gupta, Professor and Head of the Division of Entomology, thanked participants for their dedication. He encouraged them to take bold steps in establishing startups that address real-world challenges in entomology.
Certificates were distributed to the participants, marking the successful completion of the program. SKUAST-Jammu plans to continue such initiatives to bridge the gap between academia and industry, encouraging innovation in agricultural sciences.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
