Entrepreneurship Development In Specialty Agriculture: Entrepreneurship And Skill Development Series: Volume 04

The specialty crop sector has experienced consistent growth both domestically and internationally over the past decade. Nevertheless, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unique obstacles to the industry, which could potentially hinder its continued expansion, while simultaneously promoting a favorable trend in consumer preferences for purchasing specialty crops directly from farms. To capture a larger share of the economic value derived from their crops, farmers could consider performing certain processing functions on-site prior to selling their products, developing higher-value specialty crops, establishing direct marketing channels that bypass intermediaries, and identifying niche markets. These additional benefits would stimulate economic activity and foster entrepreneurship development. Consequently, the publication titled Entrepreneurship Development in Specialty Agriculture aims to explore the role of specialty agriculture in the formation and growth of enterprises.

Prof. Jyoti Kachroo has remained gold medalist (two) and meritorious throughout her academic career, graduated and post graduated (Economics) from University of Jammu, Jammu. During her M.Phil. and Ph.D studies, she worked on Critical Appraisal on New Agricultural Strateg and Impact of New Agricultural Strategy on the Economic and Social Conditions of Rural Women, respectively. Presently she is a Director (P&M) and Head, Division of Agricultural Economics and Agri-Business Management in SKUAST-Jammu. She has proposed MBA (ABM) and Ph.D. (ABM) programme in SKUAST-Jammu and was designated as first coordinator of the programme which is running successfully. Prof. Kachroo has successfully established AgriBusiness Incubator Centre under the RVKY-RAFTAAR Scheme sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer' Welfare, GoI. She has published about more than 100 articles which include book chapters, popular articles, review papers and about 75 research publications in referred journals.

Dr Sudhakar Dwivedi is Professor in the Division of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management in Faculty of Agriculture at Sher- e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, India. He received his Master's and PhD. degrees in Agricultural Economics from Dr B. R. Ambedkar University, India. He has more than twenty years of teaching experience in the field of agricultural economics. He remains advisor of more than 50 Post-Graduate students. Besides, he has been associated with national and international research projects and has more than sixty research papers published in journals of repute. He has published six books and more than thirty-five book chapters during his academic career.

Dr. S.P. Singh, Associate Professor, a visionary academician and meritorious Agro-economist. He has done M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics) from the Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya Chitrakoot, Satna, Madhya Pradesh and Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Economics in 2003 from the VBSP University, Jaunpur (U.P.). His more than 50 research papers/ articles have been published in reputed Journals and many research papers are under publication in ISSN journals. He has two books to his credit published by international publisher and has contributed to various practical manuals. He is working as Associate Professor (Agricultural Economics) in Division of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness Management, SKUAST- Jammu, Chatha (J&K).

Dr. Anil Bhat, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Economics, Division of Agricultural Economics & ABM, SKUAST-Jammu possesses a meritorious academic record. He has done M.Sc. (Agril. Economics) from the Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut and Ph.D. (Agril. Economics) from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. He also holds the Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development from Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi and Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Marketing from Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry. Dr. Bhat is the recipient of certificates of ;SPS measures under WTO” and ;Agriculture in the WTO” from WTO, Geneva, Switzerland. He is also the recipient of Young Associate Scientist Award in the field of Agricultural Economics and has also received number of paper presentation awards. His field of expertise is production, marketing and agri-business management.

Ms. Sabbey Sharma is working as Assistant Professor in the Division of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, SKUAST- Jammu. Ms Sharma has done MBA (Agri Business Management) from SKUAST-Jammu and is now pursuing Ph.D (Business Management) with specialization in the area of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. She is a researcher, skill trainer and teacher with an experience of more than 7 years. Ms Sharma has published more than 25 research paper in the field of agribusiness management and allied sector in various reputed national and international journals. Ms Sharma is also the recipient of distinguished service award for the outstanding contribution in the field of Food Industry and Junior Young Scientist Award in the field of Agribusiness Management by Society of Biological Sciences and Rural Development.

Dr. Malika Sharma, Assistant Professor, Business Management, Division of Agricultural Economics & ABM, SKUAST-Jammu possesses a meritorious academic record. She has done MBA (Supply Chain and Marketing) and Ph.D. (Lifestyle Marketing) from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra. She has 15 publications in Journals of high repute indexed in Australian Business Dean Council, SCOPUS, Web of Science and NAAS. including manuals and technical bulletins. She is the member of professional societies and her field of expertise is marketing and strategic management.

Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Professor Agricultural Extension Education is presently working in the Division of Agricultural Extension Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. He holds bachelor's degree in agriculture and a Master of Science in Extension Education. He did his Ph.D from Shere-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. He possesses more than 20 years of experience in teaching, extension and research. He has published more than 40 research papers in national and international journals and edited four books.