Scientist from New Zealand on a two-day visit to PAU

Ludhiana, February 5, 2015: Prof.Surinder Saggar, Principal Scientist and Portfolio Leader, Green House Gases and Carbon Storage, Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand is on a two-day visit to the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to deliberate on the implementation of the tripartite agreement among Massey University, New Zealand; Landcare Research, New Zealand; and PAU, Ludhiana. It is pertinent to mention that the memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed among the three institutions in 2006, has been extended for the next five years. Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU inked the staff exchange programme for the extension of the agreement.

Dr Saggar interacted with the experts including Dr R.K. Gumber, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement); Dr H.S. Thind, Head, Soil Science; Dr RIS Gill, Head, Forestry and Natural Resources; Dr (Mrs) S.K. Thind, Head, Botany; Dr Dhanwinder Singh, Senior Soil Scientist and Dr Thakur Singh, Senior Extension Specialist (Agronomy). Dr Saggar is also working as a Professorial Research Fellow, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University.

According to Dr Dhillon, this collaboration has been important in establishing a bilateral science relationship between India and New Zealand. “The continuation of this relationship will go a long way in boosting the ties among the three institutes, through staff exchange programme and collaborative research projects,” he stated.

Dr Saggar said that the potential areas identified for the cooperation are sustainable and integrated land use for agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions in relation to agriculture, post-harvest technology and management, agri-business, food technology and food sciences. Besides, the focus is on the exchange visits by academic staff from PAU to Landcare Research and Massey; and from Landcare Research and Massey to PAU. He further said that emphasis will also be on the recruitment of Ph.D students to Massey University and developing funding proposals for large joint research programmes. Dr Saggar observed, “The researchable farm issues are same at the global level. To meet the challenges, collaboration is the only way forward.” He also evinced interest in collaborating in the field of agro-forestry.