Incubation Centre for Agricultural Vocational Education Inaugurated at Nauni Varsity

In a significant boost to agricultural vocational training for school students, a state-of-the-art Agricultural Incubation Centre established at a cost of ₹1.7 crore was inaugurated at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni. The centre has been developed under a partnership between the university and Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh. The initiative is part of the World Bank-funded STARS Project under the Ministry of Education.
The facility was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, in the presence of statutory officers and faculty members of the university associated with the project. The incubation centre is equipped with modern infrastructure, including an IoT lab, computer lab, greenhouse lab, STL lab and a classroom with a seating capacity of 40 students. The facility also includes advanced resources such as drones, Meta Quest devices, modern tablets, hydroponics systems, rainwater harvesting units, soil testing kits, etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Chandel emphasized that the incubation centre, along with its modern infrastructure, will play a crucial role in equipping students with the latest knowledge and practical skills in agriculture. He reiterated that the primary objective of the centre is to develop students’ technical expertise, hands-on skills and professional attitude required to excel in agriculture and allied sectors. By promoting innovation, experiential learning and skill development, the centre aims to prepare students to meet emerging challenges in the sector.
He further highlighted that the project aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes bridging the gap between academia and industry to enhance educational quality and vocational competence. Prof. Chandel also underlined the importance of skill development, stating that nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset and enhancing youth employability are key priorities.
The partnership between the university and Samagra Shiksha aims to provide practical agricultural training and foster entrepreneurial skills among school students pursuing agriculture as a vocational education. The project is expected to benefit over 5,000 students from approximately 227 schools across the state, with a total outlay of around ₹2.8 crore.