Ludhiana, August 9, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has secured a grant of Rs 1.25 crore from Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a ‘Digital Technology Park’ was signed in the presence of Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU Vice-Chancellor, and Mr. Swarup Kumar Saha, MD and CEO of PSB.
The initiative under the project titled “Futuristic Farming: Demonstrating Cutting-Edge Agri-Techniques for Resource Conservation,” is a major step forward in advancing agricultural practices through innovation.
Key PSB officials, including Mr. Chaman Lal Shienhmar, Mrs. Shilpa Sinha, Mr. Pankaj Hira, Mrs. Parul Lalit, and Mr. Chirag Bhutani, attended the event. Also present were Dr. S.S. Chahal, Former VC, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, and Dr. N.S. Malhi, Former VC, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo.
Discussing PAU’s evolution, Dr. S.S. Gosal emphasized the university’s regional impact. About the pact, he affirmed, “This initiative marks a significant step in our mission to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability. By integrating precision farming technologies, we aim to conserve essential resources and reduce environmental impacts.
Our collaboration with Punjab & Sind Bank reflects the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing agriculture.” Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, automated weather stations, drone applications, and machine learning-based decision support systems will be showcased on the new demo farm, he added.
Mr. S.K. Saha lauded Punjab Agricultural University for shaping the nation’s agricultural landscape and inspiring farmers to embrace technology-driven innovations.
He expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that it mirrors Punjab & Sind Bank’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development. Mr. Saha emphasized that the bank’s investment aims to enhance both farmers’ welfare and environmental conservation.
He believed the innovative techniques being implemented would set a new standard for agriculture in India and beyond. Mr. Chaman Lal Shienhmar, PSB’s Field General Manager, Chandigarh, called the initiative a way of giving back to the region’s farmers.
Dr. S.S. Chahal and Dr. N.S. Malhi commended the innovative project, mentioning that it would align agricultural education with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). They remarked that the project’s comprehensive approach and advanced technologies would create a paradigm shift in agricultural practices.
Dr. M.I.S. Gill, PAU Registrar, observed that integrating cutting-edge technologies in farming goes beyond immediate benefits. He opined that the project would serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges, demonstrating the potential of technology to transform agriculture sustainably.
Dr. Ajmer Singh Brar, the PAU scientist who prepared the proposal, spotlighted the practical benefits of these technologies. A decision support system integrating machine learning algorithms will further enhance the project’s impact.
The data and recommendations regarding sensor-based automated irrigation will be accessible to farmers through a cloud-based application, empowering them to make informed choices and improve productivity.
In his welcome address, Dr. C.S. Aulakh, Dean of the College of Agriculture, noted that this model could be expanded to offer real-time identification, forecasting, and control of other agricultural issues.
Proposing the vote of thanks, Dr. Manjeet Singh, Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, stressed that a digital revolution in agriculture is essential for making critical farming decisions.
The collaboration between PAU and PSB signifies a shared vision of a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future. The event was coordinated by Dr. Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institution Relations), PAU.
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