SRINAGAR: In a significant endorsement of the region’s evolving innovation landscape, renowned academician and “son of the soil,” Professor Amitabh Mattoo, visited the ongoing 11th AgriTech Mela, Gon’gul 2026, at the Shalimar campus of SKUAST-Kashmir today.
Accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Prof Mattoo spent the day immersing himself in the vibrant atmosphere of the four-day event. He toured an extensive array of technology stalls and startup pavilions, engaging in deep conversations with young entrepreneurs and student innovators to understand the burgeoning startup ecosystem being nurtured within the university.
Prof Mattoo expressed high praise for the university’s dedicated efforts in research and innovation. He noted that SKUAST-K’s strategic focus on “NextGen Agriculture” is not merely an academic pursuit but a critical pillar for the region’s economic future.
”It was a truly inspiring experience to witness firsthand the vision, energy, and dedication that have gone into making this remarkable initiative such a vibrant platform for innovation and collaboration in agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture,” Prof Mattoo remarked.
He particularly lauded the transition of academic research into viable business models, highlighting how these advancements are empowering local youth and providing them with the tools to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Following the tour, Prof Mattoo extended his gratitude to Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai for his “generous personal tour” and visionary leadership. He credited the Vice Chancellor’s “clarity of purpose, humility, and unwavering commitment” as the driving forces behind the mela’s success.
”Gongul clearly bears the imprint of your passion and your ability to bring people together around a shared mission,” Mattoo stated, adding that the visit reinforced his admiration for the transformative impact the university continues to create under current leadership.
The visit by such a distinguished global academician underscores the growing prestige of Gon’gul 2026 as a premier destination for agricultural excellence and a beacon for the next generation of Kashmiri innovators.