PAU TO PLACE AMBASSADORS IN VILLAGES FOR EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: PAU VC

LUDHIANA, MARCH 22:-----



Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), addressing the media at the press conference organized here today, said that the Kisan Melas hold great importance in terms of new agrarian challenges and technology dissemination to the farming community. The present impetus is on productivity enhancement and agricultural sustainability, he stated, adding that the there is a need to create awareness among the farmers about the appropriate use of inputs, judicious use of pesticides and eradication of the obnoxious weed "parthenium" (congress grass). The growing interest of the farmers in the PAU publications goes to the credit of the university, he highlighted. He said that the state development departments are approached for enhancing the circulation of PAU publications. The print order of Package of Practices (Kharif) will be enhanced from 12000 to 42000, said Dr. Dhillon adding that the content and quality of presentation of farm magazines, Changi Kheti and Progressive Farming have been improved.



Dr Dhillon stated that the PAU has taken many initiatives in administration, laid emphasis on improving education to develop better human resources and has re-oriented its programs to develop and disseminate research-based technologies. "Streamlining the policy to distribute breeder and foundation seeds, putting Functionalization of Food Industry Centre on fast track, planning the establishment of School of Environmental Studies, strengthening the linkages with the agro-based industries, planning of diploma courses for the rural youth with small holdings, strengthening of School of Energy Studies in Agriculture and deputing newly recruited scientists for working at research stations/seed farms/ agro-industrial units have been thrust areas of the university," told Dr Dhillon.



In research, the PAU focused on the paddy, wheat, cotton, and maize breeding programmes and their linkages with biotechnology. In paddy, the stress has been laid on the development of high yielding, early maturing and good grain quality, he remarked, disclosing that the PAU has developed two new experimental varieties of paddy which include RYT 3129 and RYT 3240. The varieties are being examined at the farmers' fields.



Besides, the research is focusing on de-bittering of kinnow and development of blended fruit juices and broadening of crop germplasm base and procurement of genetic stock for the development of cotton and maize having transgenes for pest resistance, told Dr Dhillon. The refinement of available technologies for efficient use and conservation of natural resources including laser land leveler, tensiometer, leaf colour chart (LCC) and happy seeder, direct seeded paddy, integrated pest management, etc, is on the top agenda. He said that the PAU initiated research on refinement and dissemination of protected cultivation of vegetables under small and large poly-houses. The other niche areas for development include the cultivation of popcorn, baby corn, groundnut, grams, barley, turmeric and guara. Revealing that the seed sale counter will be set up at the main gate of the university, Dr Dhillon said that the production of potato seed and poplar nursery has already started.



Referring to the Daisy Tangerine, Dr Dhillon divulged, "A new mandarin hybrid, "Daisy" budded on Carrizo root-stock has shown promising performance and is likely to be recommended for commercial cultivation in Punjab. About 2000 root-stock seeds of Carrizo have been sown. The existing plants of "Daisy" (200) at Jallowwal shall be used as bud-wood source and we can produce 2500 plants by 2013."



Dr Dhillon stressed on the formulation of strategies for the transfer of technology (ToT) to the growers. The training and technology dissemination to the small farmers on hybrid seed production mushroom farming, bee-keeping and nursery raising are the other focus areas. The University has identified \"PAU Doots\" in the Punjab villages, to gather feed back and to help in effective transfer of technology through using e-mails, said Dr. Dhillon adding that the 2000 Krishi Doots, already placed in Punjab villages will act as bridge between the University and farmers.



In education, the Ph.D students will spend one semester in reputed universities or institutes and the PAU alumni working in foreign varsities will be approached to become co-advisor of the Ph.D students. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been approached for six-months training to the newly recruited teachers at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Dr Dhillon added.



Meanwhile, Dr Dhillon informed that the PAU Kisan Mela, slated for March 21-22, will be inaugurated by Dr G.S. Kalkat, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers' Commission. Dr S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, PAU and Dr M.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education, PAU, also shared their views with the media.




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