CM Tells Hard Truth – Not Everyone Will Get Govt Job

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s message from the Startup Outreach Programme at SKUAST-Jammu carries a powerful and transformative idea: the youth of Jammu and Kashmir must move from looking for jobs to creating opportunities for themselves and others. This call to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in farming and related fields, represents a fresh new way of thinking about the region’s economic future. Agriculture, often seen as a traditional way of life, is actually a field full of exciting possibilities for new businesses. Many people mistakenly believe that Jammu and Kashmir’s economy depends mainly on tourism. But this overlooks the strong contribution of farming, horticulture, fisheries, and beekeeping to the region’s economy. These sectors form a vast network ready for innovation and growth. Shifting from old-fashioned farming to modern, technology-driven, and value-added agriculture is essential. As farmland becomes scarcer, the only way to survive and thrive is through change. Similarly, the huge gap between Jammu and Kashmir’s low milk processing rate of just 6 to 7 per cent and Gujarat’s impressive 93 per cent reveals enormous untapped potential in dairy and other related sectors. This vision of entrepreneurship addresses a basic truth: government jobs cannot accommodate everyone. Honestly admitting that not all young people will find government employment is not pessimism. It is simply being practical. This realisation shifts focus toward the endless possibilities of self-employment and starting new ventures. Programmes like the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, JKCIP, and Mission YUVA are designed specifically to help make this shift happen—turning agriculture into a modern, value-added sector. Equally important is closing the gap between formal education and actual employability. The proposed Mission SKILL recognises that traditional schooling often does not equip students with skills that the market actually needs. In a world changing so fast that today’s required skills may be useless tomorrow, the ability to keep learning and adapting is essential. The rise of artificial intelligence and other new technologies makes this need even more urgent. The message to young people is clear: success requires intention, fresh ideas, and genuine passion. Failure is not something to fear but a valuable teacher. By harnessing innovation and embracing the spirit of business, the young people of Jammu and Kashmir can build not just their own futures, but the future of their communities and their land.