Srinagar, Feb 10 (KNO): The Centre on Tuesday informed Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir has two agricultural universities, both functioning under the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) system — SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir (Srinagar).
Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that under the ICAR scheme “Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India,” Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 35.63 crore during the last three years and the current financial year for upgradation and strengthening of agricultural universities.
The year-wise assistance to J&K stood at ₹8.12 crore in 2022–23, ₹4.72 crore in 2023–24, ₹19.30 crore in 2024–25, and ₹3.49 crore so far in 2025–26, the ministry said.
It informed the House that across the country, nearly 47 percent faculty positions in agricultural universities are vacant, affecting teaching and research activities. However, creation and filling of posts in State Agricultural Universities, including those in J&K, remains the responsibility of the respective State and UT administrations.
The government said ICAR continues to provide need-based financial support to accredited universities to modernise infrastructure, improve teaching facilities, support student research and strengthen higher agricultural education in J&K and other States—(KNO)