PAU RESEARCH STATION, GURDASPUR COMPLETES 100 YEARS

Punjab Agricultural University organized a function to celebrate the completion of 100 years of its Research Station at Gurdaspur, today. The station, then named as \'Agricultural Experimental and Research Station\' was established in 1910 for catering to the farm technology needs of the sub-mountainous region extending from Pakistan\'s Gujarat district to India\'s Ambala district. The Research Station at Gurdaspur was upgraded as Regional Research Station in 1972 with a defined programme of research and transfer of technology to agro-climatic zone-II of Punjab. The station laid focus on region specific problems through inter-disciplinary research and has a mandate of developing/testing of varieties of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, forages and fruits (mango, litchi, etc.) against biotic and abiotic stresses, developing locally relevant farm technologies, seed production of improved varieties, etc.







The centenary celebration began with the Kirtan of Gurbani in which Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, officers, faculty members and employees of the station participated. A prayer was held for the well being and prosperity of the station and farming community. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kang said that the station has contributed significantly for research and transfer of technology on wheat, pulses such as lentil, gram and mash, sugarcane, fruits such as litchi, mango and guava, cotton and vegetable crops. It has served a useful role in the rural development programmes, he said. Dr. Kang told that the then government established the station in 1910 to lay a focus on the development of improved varieties of major crops. He added that it was indeed a historical event, not only for PAU but also for the state and the country, that the station established 37 years prior to India\'s independence has served as a mile stone in the agricultural progress of the country. He congratulated all those connected with the station and wished them a professionally productive period ahead.







The station serves as a hot spot for different diseases against which the crop germplasm is being tested for identifying resistance donors and better genotypes, he said, adding that several agricultural stalwarts had worked at this station. Dr. Kang said that the station will be further strengthened so that it continues to deliver for the regional farmers. He said that efforts will be made to establish an institute of higher learning in agriculture at Gurdaspur. He inaugurated the \'Centenary Gate\' on the main entrance of the Research Station. A souvenir carrying information about the history, programmes, and achievements made at Regional Station, Gurdaspur was released on the occasion. The students of Institute of Agriculture, Gurdaspur presented a cultural show.







Dr. Amarjit Singh Khehra, former PAU Vice-Chancellor, lauded the contributions of farm scientists working at Regional Station, Gurdaspur and suggested them to formulate further need-based projects. He added that in the present time farmers have great expectations from scientists. Dr. H.S.Dhaliwal, former Director of the Station said that, being the oldest wheat research center, the Regional Station, Gurdaspur played a vital role in augmenting the wheat production at the national level.







A technical session was held in which the Director of Research, Dr. S.S.Gosal, Director of Extension Education, Dr. M.S.Gill, Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr. M.S.Aulakh, former scientist of ICAR, Dr. S.K.Midha, former Directors of the Station, Dr. P.S.Kahlon, Dr. T.R.Gupta highlighted the research and technology transfer programmes of the station. Present on the occasion were the PAU Registrar, Dr. R.K.Mahey, Comptroller, Mr. A.C.Rana, senior scientists and students. Earlier, Dr. P.S. Bagga, extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and all participants.






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