**Executive Summary**
On July 15, 2026, CSIR-NIScPR, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, IIT Jammu, and Government Degree College Kargil held a meet to identify Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) needs for the sustainable development of the Kargil region. The event focused on addressing geographical and climatic challenges through the dissemination of indigenous CSIR technologies in sectors like agriculture and renewable energy. The deliberations will contribute to the preparation of a roadmap for future collaborative interventions and capacity-building programs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Technological Innovations for Mountain Ecosystems**
* Introduction of dehumidified drying technology specifically designed for agricultural crops in high-altitude regions.
* Promotion of value-addition and food-processing technologies to stimulate rural entrepreneurship.
* Emphasis on the potential for Heeng (Asafoetida) cultivation to strengthen local livelihoods and achieve national self-sufficiency.
**Regional Priority Areas**
* Identification of critical needs in sustainable agriculture, protected cultivation, and medicinal and aromatic plants.
* Focus on water resource management, renewable energy, and climate-resilient farming practices.
* Development of eco-tourism, skill development, and rural entrepreneurship as key drivers for regional growth.
**Institutional Support and Strategy**
* Review of funding opportunities and financial assistance mechanisms through organizations like NABARD.
* Strategies for technology adoption, institutional support, and long-term collaborative partnerships.
* Commitment to evidence-based policy research and the implementation of technology demonstrations and pilot projects.
**Impact Analysis**
**Local Farmers, Entrepreneurs, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)**
**Impact**
These stakeholders gain exposure to specialized technologies—such as food processing and mountain-specific crop drying—that can enhance resource efficiency and livelihood opportunities.
**Action Required**
Engage in upcoming capacity-building programs and adopt identified technological interventions to improve agricultural productivity and value addition.
**Scientific and Academic Institutions (CSIR, IITs, Universities)**
**Impact**
The meet provides a platform for these institutions to align their research with region-specific challenges and facilitate the transfer of indigenous technologies.
**Action Required**
Collaborate on the preparation of a strategic roadmap and design technology demonstrations and pilot projects tailored to Kargil’s unique environment.
**Government Agencies and Financial Organizations**
**Impact**
These bodies receive a clear identification of priority areas and developmental gaps requiring policy support and funding.
**Action Required**
Develop institutional support mechanisms and provide financial assistance to facilitate the implementation of science-led interventions in the region.
Key Entities Referenced
Kargil, Ladakh: The primary region targeted for science, technology, and innovation (STI)-driven interventions to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR): The lead organizing institution responsible for identifying region-specific technology needs and facilitating the dissemination of indigenous technologies.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA): A collaborative national program involved in the initiative to promote evidence-based policy research and science-led rural development.
Leveraging CSIR Technologies for Rural Development: Expanding Initiatives and Identifying Opportunities: The specific initiative under which the meet was organized to address rural developmental challenges using indigenous technologies from CSIR laboratories.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary governing ministry overseeing the implementation of scientific and technological interventions for the region's development.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Science, Technology, and Innovation Need
Identification for Sustainable Development of
Kargil
प्रव तथ: 17 JUL 2026 7:07PM by PIB Delhi
To strengthen science, technology and innovation (STI)-driven interventions for sustainable and inclusive
development in the Kargil region, CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy
Research (NIScPR), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (National Coordinating Institution-IIT Delhi); Regional
Coordinating Institution-IIT Jammu; and Participating Institution-Government Degree College, Kargil,
jointly organised a one day meet on “Science, Technology, and Innovation Need Identification for
Sustainable Development of Kargil” on 15th July 2026 at Government Degree College, Kargil, Ladakh.
The meet was organized under the CSIR-NIScPR initiative titled "Leveraging CSIR Technologies for
Rural Development: Expanding Initiatives and Identifying Opportunities". The initiative seeks to facilitate
the dissemination of indigenous technologies developed by CSIR laboratories for addressing rural
developmental challenges across India. The knowledge Partners of the event were, CSIR–Central Food
Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science
and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram.
Kargil possesses immense potential in agriculture, horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants, food
processing, renewable energy, eco-tourism, and rural entrepreneurship. However, geographical
remoteness, harsh climatic conditions, and limited access to appropriate technologies continue to pose
significant developmental challenges. The meet aimed to identify region-specific science and technology
needs and explore suitable technological interventions to enhance livelihoods, improve resource
efficiency, and promote climate-resilient development.
More than 100 participants, including scientists, academicians, policymakers, government officials,
representatives from research institutions, entrepreneurs, farmers, self-help groups (SHGs), students, and
community representatives, participated in the meet and actively contributed to the discussions. The event
provided a unique platform for dialogue among scientific institutions, government agencies, and local
stakeholders to identify priority areas requiring science and technology interventions.The meet commenced with an inaugural session chaired by distinguished dignitaries from CSIR-NIScPR,
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan- IIT Delhi, IIT Jammu, and Government Degree College, Kargil. The session began
with a welcome address by Ms. Disket Angmo, Principal, Government Degree College, Kargil; followed
by addresses from Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR; emphasizing the role of science-led
interventions and stakeholder partnerships in promoting sustainable livelihoods and inclusive regional
development. Speaking on the occasion the other dignitaries Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Dr. Yogesh Suman,
Prof. P.K. Singh, and Prof. Meenakshi Rajeev, highlighted the importance of science, technology,
innovation, and institutional collaboration for the sustainable development of the Kargil region. The
inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Shiv Narayan Nishad, Scientist-E, CSIR-
NIScPR.
The first technical session, chaired by Dr. Nassreen F. Kacho, Senior Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan
Kendra, Kargil and moderated by Mohammed Nasirul Mehdi Shabani, Principal, Government Degree
College, Drass, experts from premier scientific institutions shared their experiences and technological
innovations relevant to the Himalayan region. Dr. R.S. Praveen Raj, Scientist-F, CSIR-NIIST, presented
advanced agricultural technologies suitable for mountain ecosystems, including Dehumidified drying
technology for agricultural crops. Dr. Aashitosh Inamdar, Scientist-F, CSIR-CFTRI, discussed value-
addition and food-processing technologies to enhance rural entrepreneurship in the Kargil region. Dr.
Ashok Yadav, Principal Scientist, ICAR, highlighted the potential of Heeng cultivation in the country and
the need for achieving self-sufficiency in Heeng production in India. He highlighted the progress made in
Heeng cultivation under various ongoing initiatives and emphasized the need for continued science and
technology interventions to strengthen livelihood opportunities in the Kargil region.
The second session, chaired by Dr. Mukul Bajpai, Scientist CSIR-NIScPR, on funding opportunities and
local need identification featured presentations by Mr. Anub Tsetan Paljor, District Development
Consultant, NABARD; Dr. Jigmet Yangchan, University of Ladakh; Dr. Nassreen F. Kacho, Senior
Scientist and Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kargil; and Dr. Sameer Kumar Sarma Pachalla, Associate
Dean, Outreach & Skill Development, IIT Jammu, Mohammed Nasirul Mehdi Shabani, Principal,
Government Degree College, Drass, Mr. Rizwan Ali, Assistant Professor, Department of physics,
Government Degree College, Drass, Prof. Sajad Hussain, Government Degree College, Drass. The
speakers discussed institutional support mechanisms, technology adoption strategies, financial assistance,
and collaborative opportunities for sustainable rural development.The meet concluded with an interactive scientist–stakeholder consultation session during which
participants identified several priority areas requiring science and technology interventions. Key issues
highlighted included sustainable agriculture, protected cultivation, medicinal and aromatic plants, food
processing and value addition, renewable energy, water resource management, climate-resilient farming,
rural entrepreneurship, eco-tourism, skill development, and livelihood enhancement. The participants also
emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships and promoting technology
demonstrations, pilot projects, and capacity-building programmes tailored to the needs of the region.
The deliberations generated valuable recommendations that will contribute to the preparation of a
roadmap for future collaborative interventions involving CSIR laboratories, academic institutions,
government agencies, financial organizations, and local communities. The meet also enhanced awareness
among stakeholders regarding technologies developed by CSIR laboratories and their potential
applications for addressing developmental challenges in Kargil.
The successful organization of the event resulted from contributions made by Dr. Yogesh Suman, Dr. Shiv
Narayan Nishad, Dr. N.K. Prassanna, Ms. Meetali Bharti, Dr. Mukul Bajpai, Dr. P.K. Singh, Sh Ashish
Chauhan, Mr. Gulzar Hussain, Mr. Syed Ali Mousavi, Mr. Nadir Ud Din, Mrs. Jyoti Kaul, and other team
members marked another significant milestone in CSIR-NIScPR's collaboration with UBA and its
continuing efforts to promote evidence-based policy research, technology dissemination, and science-led
rural development. The deliberations reaffirmed the commitment of all participating organizations to
fostering long-term partnerships for the sustainable and inclusive development of the Kargil region.
***
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