NORWEGIAN DIPLOMAT AND TEAM VISIT PAU, EXPLORE AREAS OF COLLABORATION

Ludhiana, March 13, 2018: The Norway Ambassador to India, Mr. Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg accompanied by Mr.Erlend Draget, Second Secretary and Ms.Undis V.Singh, Advisor visited Punjab Agricultural University today and discussed areas of collaboration with senior University officials. In his remarks, the Norwegian envoy promised greater focus on issues like research and development, renewable energy, environmental policy, polar affairs and marine issues. While pointing out that Norway is one of the major investors in India, Mr Kamsvåg said that he looked forward to cooperation in the area of sustainable growth and in this regard, PAU, could a play a vital role. He also applauded the efforts of the university in sensitizing farmers towards cost effective alternatives for stubble burning, while hoping the farmers cooperate by making best use of the technologies developed. Referring to the famous Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, the Ambassador remarked that India’s contribution in the seed bank has been immense.

While replying to the diplomat’s question on policy priorities for increasing farmers income in the state, Dr R.S. Sidhu, Registrar, PAU highlighted that market price for crops other than wheat and rice needs to be substantially increased along with an assured market for the same, in addition to setting up of processing industry for high value crops and increased funding for agricultural research at the national level. Dr Sidhu also shared collaborative research and HR exchange programmes as areas of mutual cooperation and agricultural growth among the two countries. The team later visited the crop demonstrations of the Department of Plant Breeding.

Earlier Dr S.S. Kukal, Dean, College of Agriculture welcomed the dignitaries and Dr Navtej Singh Bains gave an overview of PAU’s research activities.