Collaboration of SKUAST-K and IIT Bombay for the potential creation of a Center of Excellence focusing on rural data analysis and research in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a groundbreaking development, the Centre of Excellence on Rural Data Research & Analysis (RuDRA) was unveiled on August 7, 2025, at the Shalimar campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). This collaboration between SKUAST-K and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay aims to leverage data-driven insights to transform agriculture and rural life in the region.
Prof Irfan A Bisat conducted the proceedings of the workshop, which marked the official commencement of this ambitious project. The brainstorming session focused on developing innovative, data-driven solutions tailored to the unique needs of the J&K region.
The centre's work is designed to directly support the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) with the goal of enhancing agricultural productivity, improving rural livelihoods, and creating a skilled workforce. Beyond agriculture, the centre's scope extends to critical aspects of rural life such as sanitation, public health, education, and infrastructure.
The partnership between SKUAST-K and IIT Bombay will provide students and stakeholders with hands-on experience in data analytics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing technologies. Dr Pennan Chinnasamy, one of the key figures behind RuDRA, elaborated on the Centre's vision and purpose of using data for rural transformation.
Dr Mohamed Kasim Khan explained the operational framework and collaborative activities of the MoU between SKUAST-K and IIT Bombay. The collaboration will facilitate joint research, workshops, training programs, faculty exchange, and student internships. Prof Haroon Rashid Naik highlighted the Centre's role in fostering innovative extension approaches and establishing a robust J&K Soil & Land Information System.
The centre will focus on areas such as precision agriculture, climate change, soil health monitoring, and water resource management. Establishing a rural data research centre at SKUAST-K is a significant step towards facilitating ongoing research and innovation in rural agriculture.
The Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, emphasized the university's commitment to become a leader in innovation-driven agricultural research. The collaboration between IIT Bombay and SKUAST-K was formalized through an MoU earlier this year. The awards were given under the National Geospatial Awards 2025 for applying geospatial science and technology to agriculture, administrative contributions, and implementation of agri-schemes. IIT Mumbai presented awards to Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Prof Haroon R Naik, and Principal Secretary, APD, Shailendera Kumar in recognition of their contributions.
This collaboration combines SKUAST-K's local agricultural expertise and IIT Bombay's capabilities in data science to create a research hub focused on rural data analytics aimed at sustainable rural transformation. The first publication of this article was on August 7, 2025, at 5:46 IST.
- The Centre of Excellence on Rural Data Research & Analysis (RuDRA) is developing innovative, data-driven solutions for education and self-development in the form of online learning opportunities, as part of its broad scope that extends beyond agriculture.
- The partnership between SKUAST-K and IIT Bombay will equip students and stakeholders with necessary skills in technology, such as data analytics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing, which are integral to the rapid advancements in data-and-cloud-computing that are transforming various sectors, including education.
- As a research hub focused on rural data analytics, the centre emphasizes technology's role in fostering innovation, particularly in areas like precision agriculture, climate change, soil health monitoring, and water resource management – essential elements in science and sustainable rural transformation.
