SKUAST-K Achieves 100 Patents, Leading Kashmir’s Innovation Revolution

Key Highlights:

• SKUAST-K achieves 100 patents milestone.

• 89 startups developed under the SKIIE Centre.

• First SAU with Innovation and Startup Policy.

• 43 patents filed in 2025 alone.

• Focus on innovation-led growth and bioeconomy.

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing its 100th patent, marking a new chapter in its journey toward innovation-led growth and academic excellence. This achievement highlights SKUAST-K’s growing reputation as one of India’s most progressive agricultural universities.

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Innovation at the Core of Transformation

Launched in 2020 under the World Bank-funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), SKUAST-K began a major transformation of its academic and research ecosystem. The university placed innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology at the heart of its growth strategy.

SKUAST-K became the first State Agricultural University (SAU) in India to introduce an Innovation and Startup Policy (SISP) and establish a dedicated Innovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship Centre (SKIIE). This initiative aimed to nurture creative ideas, encourage startups, and promote technology-driven agricultural solutions.

Rapid Growth in Research and Startups

In just four years, the SKIIE Centre has emerged as one of the country’s leading incubation ecosystems. The university now proudly supports over 89 startups and has reached the 100-patent mark, with an impressive 43 patents filed in the first ten months of 2025 alone.

SKUAST-K’s innovation ecosystem is further boosted by several national-level programs, including:

• DST-funded i-TBI Centre

• NABARD-supported Rural Business Incubation Centre

• BIRAC E-Yuva Centre

• JKCIP Incubation and Startup Component

• MEITY-supported Startup and Commercialization Project

These initiatives together have built a strong platform for innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship across the university.

From ‘Education for Innovation’ to ‘Innovation for Education’

Speaking on this milestone, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, shared, “SKUAST-K has made a paradigm shift, from Education for Innovation to Innovation for Education, to realize our vision of becoming an Innovation-Led University. We have transformed our research focus from publication-oriented to problem-solving and product-driven outcomes that directly serve society.”

Under this new vision, SKUAST-K is promoting translational research that develops science-based products, processes, and solutions addressing challenges in agriculture, environment, health, climate change, and food systems.

From having just five patents in its first 40 years, the university’s leap to 95 patents in less than five years showcases its rapid progress and strong institutional commitment to innovation.

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Turning Patents into Products

SKUAST-K’s motto, “Patents to Products,” reflects its mission to link innovation directly with market and societal needs. Several patented technologies have already been commercialized, benefiting farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

Through faculty-led and student-driven startups, the university is bridging the gap between laboratories and industries, ensuring that research creates tangible, real-world impact.

Prof. Ganai described the university’s startups as “SKUAST-K BabyCorns,” symbolizing the birth of a new culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This milestone reflects the collective effort of our faculty, researchers, students, and innovation teams. It is a tribute to our commitment to build Viksit Jammu & Kashmir by harnessing the bioeconomy through technology-enabled solutions,” he said.

Building an Innovation-Led Future

The Vice Chancellor also appreciated the IP & Technology Management Cell, the SKIIE Centre team, and all university faculties for their efforts in promoting innovation. He encouraged the academic community to continue developing research with commercial, societal, and environmental value.

“This is not the culmination but the beginning of a new era, where every research idea at SKUAST-K has the potential to become a product, a policy input, or a startup,” Prof. Ganai added.

Driving Bioeconomic and Sustainable Development

With its 100 patents and 89 startups, SKUAST-K has positioned itself as a catalyst for bioeconomic transformation in Jammu and Kashmir. Its model of innovation-led growth is now a benchmark for other State Agricultural Universities across India.

Through its dedication to entrepreneurship, research excellence, and practical innovation, SKUAST-K is not only transforming the future of agricultural education but also contributing to the sustainable development and economic growth of the region.

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CMV360 Says

SKUAST-K’s century of patents marks a proud moment for Kashmir’s innovation ecosystem. The university’s journey from research to real-world solutions is empowering farmers, entrepreneurs, and students alike, setting the stage for a future where every idea contributes to a smarter, more sustainable, and self-reliant Jammu & Kashmir.