A three-day training programme on ‘Promotion of Agripreneurship and Capacity Building of Rural Students in Agriculture Education’ commenced today at the Department of Business Management, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. Twenty farmers from Solan and Sirmaur district are taking part in the programme. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is funding the training. 

Dr Parvinder Kaushal, UHF Vice-Chancellor, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. While welcoming the Chief Guest, Dr KK Raina, Professor and Head, Department of Business Management said that the programme was the first in the series of seven trainings, which are being organized by the department to promote entrepreneurship in horticulture and agriculture.

Dr Kapil Kathuria, coordinator of the programme said that the training aims to develop entrepreneurs who can add value to the economy and create employment in the areas of agribusiness and rural enterprises. During the next three days, six technical sessions covering topics like horticulture and floriculture based businesses, leadership skills, business environment for agri and rural enterprises, capital budgeting and project evaluation, etc will be organized. The participants will also get practical exposure and an opportunity to listen to the views of entrepreneurs and bankers who will guide them about the various requirements for securing loans for their new businesses.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Parvinder Kaushal said that such trainings will be a regular feature under the newly established Skill Development Centre at the University. He said that through the trainings the university intends to create awareness about various opportunities of establishing enterprises in the agri-horticulture sector. Dr Kaushal urged the participants to regularly interact with university scientists so that they can gain knowledge about the latest production and marketing techniques, which can help to increase their livelihood and business avenues.

 Deans of the University Dr Kulwant Rai, Dr YC Gupta, Dr ML Bhardwaj, faculty and research scholars of the Department of Business Management took part in the event.