IGNOU's Agriculture based programmes activated at SKUAST-Kashmir from July 2026

Great news from IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar that on consecutive demand of stakeholders IGNOU has activated 19 agriculture based programmes at SKUAST-K. The Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad SKUAST-K & Regional Director IGNOU Dr. A. H. Rizvi signed MoU and Prof. Uma Kanjilal Vice-Chancelllor IGNOU accorded the approval. In a significant step towards expanding access to quality agricultural education in Jammu & Kashmir, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Regional Centre Srinagar, has established a new Study Centre at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). The newly established Study Centre will offer a wide range of academic programmes being offered by the School of Agriculture (SOA), IGNOU, New Delhi, enabling aspiring students, agricultural professionals, entrepreneurs, and rural youth to pursue higher education and skill development in the field of agriculture through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The centre has been established with the objective of strengthening agricultural education, promoting sustainable farming practices and enhancing employability opportunities in the agriculture and allied sectors. Students enrolled through the Study Centre will have access to academic counselling, learner support services, practical training opportunities and guidance from experts associated with SKUAST-K and IGNOU. The admission process for the July 2026 Admission Cycle is currently going on. Interested candidates can now apply for various certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes offered by the SOA, IGNOU New Delhi.

The list of Programmes are as:

1. Master of Science in Food Safety and Quality Management (MSCFSQM)

2. Master of Business Administration (Agribusiness Management) (MBAABM)

3. Post Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (PGDFSQM)

4. Post Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness (PGDAB)

5. Post Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy (PGCAP)

6. Bachelor of Science (Food Safety and Quality Management) (BSCFFSQM)

7. Diploma in Value Added Products from Fruits & Vegetables (DVAPFV)

8. Diploma in Meat Technology (DMT)

9. Diploma in Watershed Management (DWM)

10. Diploma in Horticulture (DHORT)

11. Diploma in Agricultural Cost Management (DACM)

12. Diploma in Watershed Management (DWM)

13. Diploma in Dairy Technology (DDT)

14. Certificate in Beekeeping (CIB)

15. Certificate in Organic Farming (COF)

16. Certificate in Poultry Farming (CPF)

17. Certificate in Water Harvesting & Management (CWHM)

18. Certificate in Sericulture (CIS)

19. Awareness Programme on Dairy Farming (APDF)

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. A.H. Rizvi expressed confidence that the collaboration with SKUAST-K will significantly contribute to capacity building and human resource development in the agricultural sector across the region. The initiative is expected to benefit students from both urban and rural areas by providing flexible, affordable, and quality education.

Prospective learners are advised to visit the IGNOU Admission Portal or contact IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar and/or Coordinator Dr. Rohitashw Kumar, Associate Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar Camus for detailed information regarding programmes, eligibility criteria, and admission procedures. Students interested in pursuing agriculture-related programmes are encouraged to register at the earliest and take advantage of this unique opportunity to study through India's largest Open University system, said Dr. A.H. Rizvi, Regional Director. The Vice Chancellor expressed his happiness and welcomed the IGNOU activities in his premises.

The first Coordinator of IGNOU Learner Support Centre-30041 (SKUAST-K) appointed is Dr. Rohitashaw Kumar Associate Dean & Professor who expressed his willingness and overwhelming response after assuming his charge. He expressed his commitment for admission promotional activities at the centre and providing quality education to enrolled learners.

The Registrar Prof Azmat Alam Khan also welcomed the move for the establishment of the centre at SKUAST-K and committed for providing all infrastructural facilities to IGNOU learners. Prof. (Dr.) Mohd. Altaf Bhat Director Education SKUAST-K played a pivotal role and convened the meeting for establishment of the centre.

Prof. Vijayakumar P Director School of Agriculture, IGNOU played a major role at IGNOU Headquarters for the establishment of the centre at SKUAST-K. Under the leadership of Dr. Rizvi Regional Director IGNOU has achieved one more milestone by providing agriculture based programmes to the aspirants who wish to enroll in the agriculture based programmes as it was a long pending demand from their end.