17-Member French Delegation Visits PAU

Ludhiana, January 15, 2016: A 17-member ‘AGRI PASS Group’ from France visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today to study the agricultural scenario of Punjab and have an overview of PAU’s research and extension programmes. The delegation was led by Thomas De Belle and Maryvonne Salaun, and comprised of French farmers. The delegation interacted with the Additional Directors of Research and Extension Education, and experts of Plant Breeding and Genetics.

Dr R.K.Gumber, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement), while highlighting the research achievements of PAU, said the University has developed/released 772 varieties and hybrids till date, out of which, 155 have been released at the national level. He told, “PAU has provided technical guidance and expertise for establishing 272 Agro-Food Industry Centres in Punjab.” Alternate crops, water use efficiency, post-harvest management and value addition, setting-up of agro-processing units, and application of biotechnology are some of the future thrust areas, he added. Dr Gumber also shed light on the landmark achievements in crop improvement and varieties released in other countries.

Dr P.S. Aulakh, Additional Director of Extension Education, while briefing about the set-up of the Directorate of Extension Education, said, “It aims at disseminating latest research findings among the farmers, farm women, entrepreneurs and extension personnel.” Kisan Melas, workshops, trainings, field days, demonstrations, exhibitions, and campaigns are the various extension modes through which farm technologies are transferred to the farmers, he added. Dr Aulakh also highlighted the use of resource conservation technologies like Happy Seeder, laser land leveler, leaf colour chart, tensiometer, etc.

The PAU experts addressed all the queries of the delegation members, who were presented with PAU dockets of information. The delegation also visited the experimental area of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics.