Morocco delegation visits PAU, Deliberates on collaborative areas

Ludhiana, February 11, 2015: With an objective of joining hands with the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), a three-member delegation from Morocco (Africa) met Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor; Dr P.K.Khanna, Registrar; Dr Balwinder Singh, Director of Research; Dr.R.S.Sidhu, Director of Extension Education and other senior officials of the University today.

The delegation, headed by Dr S.A. Patil, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Bangalore, deliberated on potential areas for collaboration. The visiting members from OCP Foundation, Morocco comprised Nawfel Roudies, Director, Agricultural Development Programme; Imadeddine Rouini, Project Manager, Agricultural Development Programme; and Nabil El Alami, Audit and Control Director. In addition, Dr Anuj Sood, Nodal Officer, Agri-Clinic and Agri-Business Scheme, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad also accompanied the delegation.

Dr Dhillon explained the delegates, “Due to pre-dominance of rice-wheat system, various farm challenges such as depletion of underground water, deteriorating soil health, micro-nutrient deficiencies in various crops, and crop residue burning are being confronted in Punjab presently,” he added. Keen on collaborating with Morocco, Dr Dhillon said that there are many joint areas for cooperation and soil science can be one of them. He extended special invitation to the delegation to attend upcoming two-day Kisan Mela on PAU campus on March 20-21.

Dr Patil said that PAU is one of the best farm institutes in the country. He suggested tie-up in the areas of farm machinery, breeding programmes, horticulture, soil science, mushrooms and academic programmes. He said that OCP Foundation has expertise in citrus germplasm, olive oil, dairy activities, tissue culture, etc.

Referring to the research, teaching and extension programmes of PAU, Dr R.K. Gumber, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement), said that, “At present, 29 international students from 12 diverse countries have been enrolled in different academic programmes of the University.” Further, he told that at present, the productivity of wheat, paddy and maize is nearly 4.5, 5.8 and 3.2 tonnes/hectare, respectively. Stating that PAU is having exemplary linkage with the farmers, he said that University is pioneer in the organization of farmer’s fair in 1967. Dr Gumber also highlighted salient crop production and resource conservation technologies, farm machinery, subsidiary occupations, and initiatives in different research areas.

Earlier, Dr Chander Mohan, Additional Director Communication welcomed the delegates and apprised them of the genesis and evolution of PAU. He informed that the mandate of PAU is to impart education in agriculture and allied sciences, develop new farm technologies and transfer them to the farmers.

The delegates said, “Our major purpose of visit to PAU is to develop strong linkages and identify mutually beneficial areas.” Informing that wheat, rice, sugarcane, and sugar beet crops are grown in Morocco, they said that their major aim is to support food security programmes.