Ludhiana, March 30, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
An 14-member delegation of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officers visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today as a part of study-cum-exposure visit programme on “Agricultural Advances in Punjab.” The programme was organized by Communication Centre, Directorate of Extension Education, PAU.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, said: “Punjab is an agrarian state. The Punjab Agricultural University has played a pivotal role in heralding of Green Revolution in the country.”
But depletion of groundwater table is a matter of serious concern for Punjab, he observed, while stating that diversification has an important role to play in present times.
Dr Mahal said University was making consistent efforts for the development of climate resilient crop varieties, crop residue management and income enhancement of farmers.
Dr PPS Pannu, Additional Director of Research (Natural Resource and Plant Health Management), gave a presentation on “PAU: Achievements and Recent Initiatives.” Explaining the genesis and evolution of PAU, he said PAU is a mother of Green Revolution, leader in conservation agriculture, pioneer in apiculture and cattle breeding, and leader in farm mechanization.
“The University has developed 892 crop varieties/hybrids (72 of wheat, 47 of rice, 54 of cotton, 60 of pulses, 200 of vegetables, 151 of fruits and many more) till date. Out of these, 200 varieties/hybrids have been released at the national level,” he added.
Dr Manjeet Singh, Head, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, shed light on different farm machinery, such as PAU Happy Seeder, PAU Super Straw Management System (SMS), Super Seeder, rotavator, baler, mould board plough, etc., being adopted by farmers for crop residue management.
Dr SS Walia, Senior Agronomist, School of Organic Farming, highlighted the scope of integrated farming system in income enhancement.
Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, while welcoming the dignitaries and the delegation members, spoke on the role of PAU in agricultural development of Punjab.
Dr Kulwinder Kaur Gill, Programme Coordinator, conducted the programme.
The visiting delegation also visited Crops Museum, Food Industry Business Incubation Centre, Skill Development Centre and Biotechnology Centre at PAU.
