SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) organized a 21-day national training programme on “Geoinformation Science for Natural Resources Management” on Monday.
Director, CITH-ICAR, Professor M. K. Verma graced the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest. In his address, Prof. Verma emphasized the pivotal role of remote sensing and GIS technologies in the modern management of natural resources. He highlighted that these digital tools are instrumental in data-driven planning, monitoring, and sustainable decision-making.
Stressing the importance of digital literacy, he remarked that “new-age agriculture demands a skilled and innovative workforce capable of harnessing technology for ecological and economic sustainability.”
The advanced training aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and practical skills in remote sensing (RS) and geographical information systems (GIS) for the sustainable management of natural resources.
Organized by the Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics Laboratory, Division of Soil Science, Faculty of Horticulture, the programme is being conducted in collaboration with IIT Bombay and CITH-ICAR as knowledge partners. It is sponsored under the Jammu & Kashmir Soil and Land Resource Information System for Planning and Soil Health (JKSLRI) project, funded by the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
A total of 40 participants including students, scientists, and working professionals from different parts of the country are attending the programme, which promises an intensive blend of theoretical understanding and hands-on learning.
The inaugural session was also attended by Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar, SKUAST-K and Mohamed Kasim Khan, National Coordinator, FOSSEE GIS, IIT Bombay, among other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, emphasized that GIS is an emerging technology transforming natural resource management. He noted that the integration of GIS and remote sensing enables data-driven planning and sustainable resource use, and appreciated the initiative for promoting technological advancement in agriculture and environment management.
In his welcome address, Prof. M. A. Malik, Head, Division of Soil Science, outlined the objectives of the training and underscored its relevance in the context of contemporary agricultural challenges. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Bangroo, Course Director, provided an overview of the 21-day training schedule, highlighting key thematic areas and expert sessions.
The training programme marks yet another milestone in SKUAST-K’s commitment to fostering innovation, capacity building, and technology-driven approaches in the field of agriculture and natural resource management.