Nauni varsity, Samagra Shiksha Partnership to Boost Agricultural Vocational Training
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Solan, 26 February, 2026
A one-day workshop-cum-interactive session with stakeholders was organized today at the Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni to seek feedback on the activities of the Incubation Centre established under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). The workshop was conducted as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the university and Samagra Shiksha, Himachal Pradesh. The initiative falls under the World Bank-funded STARS Project of the Ministry of Education, GoI.
Dr. Inder Dev, Nodal Officer of the project at the university, stated that the incubation facility developed at the university is of world-class standard. He emphasized that the university will contribute its expertise in agriculture, infrastructure, and data management to ensure effective implementation of the project. He reiterated that the primary objective of the Incubation Centre is to equip students with the knowledge, practical skills and professional attitude required to excel in agriculture and allied sectors. By fostering 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 objectives of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes bridging the gap between academia and industry to enhance educational quality and vocational competence.
Dr. Ashu Chandel, Co-Coordinator of the project, provided an overview of the initiative and described it as a transformative partnership designed to deliver practical agricultural training and promote entrepreneurial skills among school students pursuing vocational education in agriculture. She informed that over 5,000 students from approximately 227 schools across the state will benefit from the project.
Surender Rangta, Nodal Officer, Samagra Shiksha, elaborated on the current landscape of vocational education in Himachal Pradesh. He stated that the primary aim of the project is to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset and enhance youth employability. Emphasizing India’s demographic advantage, he noted that focused efforts on skill development are essential to harness the potential of the country’s young population. He informed that more than 1,700 schools in the state currently house around 2,800 vocational labs offering nearly 16 trades. The present project, he added, aims to channelize students’ energies and aspirations in a productive direction.
Dr. Manish Sharma, Dean, College of Horticulture, remarked that the project seeks to shift students’ orientation from conventional white-collar employment towards entrepreneurship. He stressed that education must be aligned with national needs, adding that agriculture remains a vital sector with immense scope for vocational application. He underscored the university’s crucial role in capacity building of vocational teachers and students in this discipline.
Dr. Sudhir Verma, Co-Coordinator of the project, presented the action plan and proposed curriculum of the incubation programme, while Hitesh Sheoran detailed the facilities available at the Incubation Centre.
Vocational teachers from Solan and adjoining areas, university faculty associated with the project and officials from Samagra Shiksha participated in the workshop. The participants also visited the Incubation Centre and the bio-waste management facility. An interactive session was held to deliberate on key issues and gather valuable feedback from stakeholders for further strengthening the initiative.
