Nuffield International Farming Scholars interact with PAU VC; Laud pau’s trait-specific varieties and agri-marketing

Ludhiana, June 1, 2023: A team of twelve Nuffield International Farming Scholars visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today under the aegis of the Global Focus Program (GFP), which is an integral part of the Nuffield Scholarship that facilitates its scholars to study agriculture, investigate agricultural marketing, trade and environmental issues among others. The team led by MatthewWesley from Nuffield Australia, and scholars hailing from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, and Ireland interacted with Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; and Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director, Institution Relations, PAU. The team comprising of scholars Lucie Douma,, Nicole Logg, Sammy Mclntyre, Joana Ferreira Mendes, Shinya Okazaki, Lauren Park, Paula-Lee Pownall, Sandi Roberts, Aimee Snowden, Alastair Trickett and Lance Woods were accompanied by Pavitar Pal Singh Pangli, President, Borlaug Farmers Association for South Asia; Malwinder Singh Malhi, Advisor-cum-Project In charge, Syngenta Foundation, India, and Member, Global Farmer Network; and Dr Baldev Singh, Plant Doctor, who has worked in various capacities with the Department of Agriculture, Punjab.

In his colloquy, Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal acquainted the learned audience with the stellar achievements of the University that is committed to research, extension and education in agriculture and allied fields. “PAU is synonymous with the ‘Green Revolution’ and its immense contribution both in agriculture as well as in human resource development has given it the status of the prime engine of development in Punjab and one of the Best Agricultural Universities in Asia”, he proudly shared. Outlining PAU’s research accomplishments, Dr Gosal mentioned that PAU’s prime focus is on developing climate-resilient technologies, biofortification, trait-specific crop development to address nutritional deficits, speed breeding, conservation agriculture to achieve sustainability goals, promoting biofertilizers and biopesticides to minimize chemical use, improving soil health, developing innovative farm mechanization etc. He made a special mention of trait-specific varieties developed at PAU that were fortified with nutritional benefits, such as zinc and iron. He referred to the PAU starch resistant wheat variety that was developed for the first time in the country. Dr Gosal also shared with the delegation that trait-specific pockets and niche areas were identified for this variety to be grown and processed.

Dr Vishal Bector elaborated on the outreach programme of PAU that employs a network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Farm Advisory Service Centres (FASCs) in addition to several extension techniques leading to a strong linkage with the farmers across approximately 12500 villages of Punjab. He shared with the delegation the University’s unique concept of holding Kisan Melas twice a year and catering to thousands of farmers who flocked to the university, not only for farm related purchases, but also to seek solutions to their agri concerns. He also enlightened the visitors by sharing the University’s ‘Package of Practices for Kharif and Rabi crops’.

The team of Nuffield Scholars also visited the School of Business Studies (SBS) PAU, and interacted with Dr Ramandeep Singh, Director, SBS, who acquainted the visitors with information on the Punjab Agri-Business Incubator (PABI) for the farming community as well as the young entrepreneurs.

Dr Ashoo Toor, Assistant Professor, Communication Centre, apprised the visiting scholars about the admirable scientist-farmer linkage maintained by the University through its digital newspaper, weekly Facebook Live farmer-scientist interface, PAU Kisan App, WhatsApp groups, Kisan Doots (messengers), apart from more than 280 farm publications that shared vital information on a variety of agriculture and associated topics.

The delegation was felicitated with PAU publications and university souvenirs. The team leader, Mr Matthew Wesley appreciated PAU’s energy and intensity in generating and delivering knowledge to its stakeholders. He and his team expressed gratitude to Vice-Chancellor, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, and the University authorities for arranging the scheduled visit of the Nuffield scholars.

The visiting delegation was awarded Certificates via courtesy of the Borlaug Farmers Association during an event held later in the evening.