IIT Bombay and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable agriculture, rural development, and environmental management.

The MoU aims to foster joint research projects, academic programmes, faculty and student exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives in key areas such as climate change, resource optimization, and sustainable land management. By combining IIT Bombay’s technological expertise with SKUAST-K’s domain-specific agricultural knowledge, the collaboration will create innovative, data-driven solutions for pressing global challenges.

During the ceremony, Prof. Shireesh B Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, expressed confidence that this partnership will become a model for blending scientific excellence with technological innovation. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, highlighted the importance of academic collaborations to equip researchers, students, and farmers with cutting-edge technologies to improve productivity and resilience in agriculture.

As part of the agreement, SKUAST-K will also collaborate with IIT Bombay’s Rural Data Research and Analysis (RuDRA) Lab on a Rs. 20 Crore project. The initiative will focus on developing state-of-the-art decision support systems for rural development, alongside joint research, curriculum design, knowledge transfer, and internship programmes.

This partnership underscores IIT Bombay’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and driving technological innovation in agriculture and rural development. By combining its world-class expertise with SKUAST-K’s agricultural knowledge, IIT Bombay is poised to lead impactful solutions that address critical challenges in sustainability and rural resilience.