LUDHIANA, JANUARY 24:
To gain in-depth understanding of Indian agriculture, in general and Punjab, in particular, a 40-member French delegation, comprising farmers and entrepreneurs, visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. The delegation members, lead by Fredric Grivot, ETS Cornet (France) and accompanied by interpreter, Mr Ashok Verma from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; interacted with the farm experts of the University. They visited the Crops Museum of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG); Dr Uppal Museum of Water and Power Resources of Northern India, Department of Soil Science; and the Museum of Rural Life of Punjab, College of Home Science.
Welcoming the visiting delegation, Dr H.S. Sehgal, Additional Director of Communication, gave an overview of the organizational set-up of PAU with key focus on research, academics, and transfer of technology. Besides, he briefed the delegation about the Punjab agriculture.
Stating that India is a large agricultural country, the team leader, Mr Grivot said that their visit to PAU aims at equipping themselves with the knowledge about the management of agriculture in India.
The delegation members said that wheat is the major crop of France and that it is confronting the problem of yellow rust. Besides, the other major challenge is the weed management, they told. The support of their (France) government is on European level, they said, adding that the European community gives subsidy every year for environmental protection. About wine industry in France, they remarked, "It is still the best." They appreciated the neat and clean environment of the PAU campus.
Dr H.S. Jassal, Professor of Soil Science, informed the delegates that Dr Uppal Museum speaks volumes of physiographical diversity of the region. The museum serves as a tool for study and research in soil and water conservation, water management and agro-meteorology. Besides, it covers several states of India and certain areas of Tibet, China, USSR, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc.
Dr SPS Brar, Senior Extension Specialist, PBG, highlighted the landmark crop varieties released and recommended by PAU. Saying that the Punjab state is primarily an agricultural state of India, he divulged that the wheat crop is grown in an area of 3.5 million hectares in the state and its total production is nearly 180 lakh tonnes.
Referring to the Museum of Rural Life of Punjab, Dr Sharanbir K. Bal, Assistant Scientist, Family Resource Management, said that it reminds the visitors of the charms of ancient Punjab amidst dust and din of modern trends. The museum is the centre for stimulating research in ethnology, architecture, archaeology, social history and folk arts and crafts, she added.
Dr Ramandeep Jassal, Deputy Director (Public Relations), interacted with the delegates and informed them about the agro-business in Punjab and the wine production in the country.
News From: http://www.7StarNews.com
Thursday, January 24, 2013
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