Srinagar:Division of Silviculture and Agroforestry at the Faculty of Forestry in Benhama Watlar Ganderal, SKUAST-Kashmir, launched a one-week training program Entitled “Empowering Women through Agroforestry Entrepreneurship: A Training Program for Sustainable Livelihoods.” This program is scheduled to run from November 9 to 14, 2023, at Faculty of Forestry in Ganderbal.
The inaugural event commenced with a welcoming address by Dr. G.M. Bhat, who serves as the Professor and Head Silviculture and Agroforestry. During his speech, Dr.Bhat emphasized the importance of encouraging women participants to become job providers rather than job seekers, given the government’s limitations in providing jobs for all educated youth.
He provided a comprehensive overview of the training program and highlighted the significance of entrepreneurship programs in fostering self-sustaining livelihoods.
Dr. Megna Rashid, the program coordinator, shed light on various aspects of the training program and the role of women in Agroforestry. She discussed the program’s design, emphasizing its focus on providing hands-on training to the participants.
Prof. S.A. Gangoo, the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, who also served as the Chief Guest for the event, emphasized the necessity of conducting such programs to promote entrepreneurship development, particularly among educated unemployed youth. He expressed optimism that this training program would greatly benefit women.
The inaugural event was attended by all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Faculty of Forestry, as well as 30 women participants from different fields. Prominent figures present at the event included Prof. P.A. Khan, the Head of the Division of Forest Biology & Tree Improvement (FBT); Prof. A.A. Wani, Head of the Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM); Prof. P.A. Sofi, Head of the Forest Products Utilization(FPU) Division; Prof. Syed Naseem Geelani, the Head of the Basic Sciences Division; Dr.Khursheed A. Shah, Head of the Wildlife Division; Prof. M.A. Islam; Dr. N.A. Pala; Dr.Vaishnu Dutt; Dr. T.A. Rather; Dr. M. Maqbool Rather; Dr. Aasif Ali Gatoo, Dr. M Iqbal Jeelani and other faculty members were also present.
The inaugural event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. P.A. Khan, Head of the Division of FBT. Finally, Dr. Megna Rashid, the coordinator, expressed gratitude for the support and efforts of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. N.A Ganie and Director Planning and Monitoring Prof. H. R. Naik, as well as Dean Faculty of Forestry, Prof. S. A. Gangoo.
The coordinator also extended her appreciation to the sponsoring agency, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the Government of India, basedNew Delhi.
