JAMMU, Mar 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said his government is coordinating with the Centre to ensure the safety of Jammu and Kashmir residents in war-hit Iran and is formulating a programme to bring them home safely. He urged people to remain calm amid the evolving situation following US-Israel attacks on Iran.
Speaking to reporters after addressing a function at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Jammu, Omar, who met religious leaders and civil society members in Srinagar yesterday, warned against elements trying to exploit the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our government is coordinating with the Centre to ensure the safety of Jammu and Kashmir residents in Iran. We are working on a programme to bring them back safely,” he said, appealing for calm amid the ongoing crisis.
Voicing concern over the sinking of an Iranian warship, he said the vessel and its crew were India’s guests for a multilateral naval exercise, adding that the incident has caused anxiety as many people from the Union Territory, including students, are currently in Iran.
“It is unfortunate that an attack was carried out on the Iranian warship. They were our guests here for a naval exercise. While returning, it was attacked. In some way, our country is also being drawn into this situation. What happens next is beyond my jurisdiction,” he said.
On Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filing nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha, Omar said it is an internal matter of the allies but acknowledged Kumar’s past association with the NDA and extended best wishes for his nomination.
Regarding the general elections in Nepal, which followed the fall of the KP Sharma Oli-led government last year, the Chief Minister said the polls are crucial for democracy, noting, “A new leader has emerged there. Let us see what decision the people of Nepal take.”
Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
Omar also highlighted the government’s focus on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture. Under flagship programmes such as Mission Yuva, funding has started flowing into educational institutions to nurture a startup culture.
Addressing a Startup Outreach Programme under the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) at SKUAST-Jammu, he urged youth to move from being job seekers to job creators, harnessing innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors.
He stressed the limitations of government jobs, saying, “If I promise that every one of you will get a government job, I would be wrong. Not everyone can secure one. So, what will the rest do?”
Omar noted that Jammu and Kashmir must build industries based on its strengths, as the region lacks coal, iron ore, and oil. He emphasized agriculture and allied sectors as the most viable path for sustainable growth.
“There is a misconception that our economy is driven solely by tourism. Agriculture and horticulture are equally significant, offering immense opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Traditional practices alone may not sustain livelihoods; value addition and modern entrepreneurship are key,” he said.
He highlighted the potential in dairy production, noting that only 6-7% of milk in Jammu and Kashmir is processed, compared to nearly 93% in Gujarat. “Converting milk into products like paneer or khoya significantly increases its value,” he added.
During the event, the Chief Minister released four publications, felicitated two startups and two Farmers’ Producer Organisations, and launched 808 new Kisan Khidmat Ghars (KKGs) to strengthen grassroots agricultural services.
