The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, J & K was established in the year 1982 with the objectives of catering to the research, education and extension education requirements of the state. The entire educational infrastructure like colleges of Agriculture, Veterinary and Forestry came up in Kashmir province only and major infrastructure for research and extension was also developed in the same region. Subsequently, a demand for the establishment of a separate Agriculture University for Jammu region was projected as agro-climatically and topographically, the Jammu region is different from the Kashmir division having diversity among its livestock, type and pattern of cropping and socio-economic/geographic linkages. The problems of Jammu region are location specific in research on crops, pulses, fruits, oil-seeds, vegetables, agriculture, species of livestock and poultry. Keeping these consideration in view, the then Prime Minister of India, Sh. H.D. Deve Gowda, during his visit to Jammu in 1996, announced the establishment of a separate Agricultural University for Jammu region. His successor-in-office, Sh. I. K. Gujral, subsequently reiterated this commitment.

Following these announcements, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted a high-powered committee popularly known as the Madan Committee. The Committee recommended, in principle, the establishment of the separate Agricultural University for Jammu Accordingly, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Act of 1982 was amended by the State legislature providing for a separate Agricultural University by the same name (SKUAST of Jammu).

sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu came into existence on 20th September 1999 following the amendment in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Act 1982 through the State legislature. The establishment of SKUAST of Jammu has in its background aspirations, commitment and missionary zeal to fulfill the area specific needs of people of Jammu for research and development in the fields of agriculture and allied sectors under the diversified agro-climatic conditions. The SKUAST of Jammu inherited few assets and staff deployed at various stations and sub stations from erstwhile SKUAST(J&K) to carry on the mission of agriculture research and development.

To meet the demand of trained manpower of development departments and face the challenges in agriculture under the clout of liberalization, privatization and globalization, the pursuance of academic excellence and production of need based trained graduate has been given due priority. In the accomplishment of this task, the top positions of university were filled and the various statutory bodies of the university i.e University Council, Board of Management, Research Council, Extension Council and Academic Council were notified. Wide variety of talent and intellect have been positioned in the faculties and assigned the task of building institute of academic excellence and responsiveness to the need of farming community. The admission to the undergraduate courses in agriculture, veterinary sciences, post graduates courses in agriculture, veterinary sciences and Doctorate programme through competitive exams is a regular feature.

In pursuit to establish a comprehensive resident instruction programme the selection of suitable site for establishment of university was given due consideration. After long deliberations and visits to various sites, Chatha/RakhChatha was identified as the most suitable site for the main campus of the university.The R.S.Pura campus has been remodeled to house the full-fledged Faculty of Ve

terinary Sciences. Within the constraints of space academic, research and extension activities were carried out with full missionary zeal. The quality of education imparted was recognised and degrees awarded by university have been recognised by Veterinary Council of India in a brief span of less than five years. SKUAST of Jammu has the distinction of being one among 10 SAU's to start the RAWE programme in the B.Sc. Agriculture curriculum. The libraries, being key to the academic excellence and pursuance of quality research have been given due consideration. Separate libraries have been established at the Chatha and R.S.Pura campuses having good reference book bank and subscription to National and International journals.

Concerted efforts were made to systemize the research activities on sound footing, the research priorities were identified and subsequently various research projects were framed to tackle the area specific constraints. All these efforts proved fruitful and break through have been made in varietal development; production management and post harvest technology. About 26 research projects funded by various agencies are being pursued in university. In order to give a boost to horticulture production particularly on post harvest technology, value addition & systematic marketing. one prestigious project for the establishment of quality control laboratory in this university has been approved by Govt. of India with financial assistance of Rs.1 Crore.

The university has been actively involved in the transfer of evolved technologies to the end users through the strong extension system. The scientist farmer interactions are frequent and liberal. Training programmes for the up-gradation and refreshing the technical knowledge of line departments' functionaries are organized. The technologies developed, tested, refined are disseminated for adoption by farmers through adoptive trials and front line demonstrations through Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The technical information and production recommendations are disseminated through the publications and print material in form of pamphlets, leaflet and posters. Keeping abreast with the latest technologies available in field of information technology facilities like Video Conferencing and LAN are available for usage. KISSAN CALL CENTER for spontaneous redressal of farmer's queries is functioning in the university.

Territorial Jurisdiction of SKUAST-Jammu

SKUAST-Jammu
Rail Head Complex
Railway Road, Jammu

Head Quarter: Main Campus Chatha

Research Stations/Sub Stations/Centre:

Regional Agricultural Research Station, Rajouri
Dry land Research Sub-station, Dhiansar
Rain fed Research Sub-station for Sub-tropical Fruits, Raya
Regional Horticulture Research Sub-station, Bhaderwah
Pulses Research Sub-station, Samba
Maize Breeding Research Sub-station, Poonch
Water Management Research Centre, Chatha
Cropping System Research, Chatha
Seed Production Farm, Chakroi, RS Pura
All India Maize Improvement Project, Udhampur

Faculties:
Agriculture: Chatha/Udheywalla
Veterinary Sciences& AH: RS Pura

Krishi Vigyan Kendra
R.S.Pura
Bhaderwah
Rajouri
Reasi
Poonch
Kathua