DELEGATES FROM USA AND KENYA DISCUSS SCOPE OF TRILATERAL PARTNERSHIP WITH PAU

LUDHIANA, MARCH 11:



An eight-member delegation from Ohio State University (OSU), USA and Egerton University (EU), Kenya, is on a five-day visit to the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to explore and discuss the opportunities of trilateral partnership. Professor David O. Hansen, Ohio State University, USA and Dr Bockline Omedo Bebe, Associate Professor, Livestock Production Systems, EU, Kenya, are leading the delegation. The members interacted with Dr P.K. Khanna, PAU Registrar; Dr Gursharan Singh, Dean of Postgraduate Studies; Dr P.S. Chahal, Associate Director of Research; Dr P.K. Chhuneja, Beekeeping Expert; Dr H.S. Bjawa, Senior Extension Specialist and Dr Sandeep Kapur, Director, School of Business Studies.



In his remarks, Prof. Hansen said, "The PAU has served the farming community very well and even the farmers acknowledge the same." He lauded the PAU for receiving national and international recognitions in agriculture and allied fields.



During interaction, Dr Khanna discussed the strategies for entering into trilateral partnership. He said that the three major components including research, teaching and transfer of technology programmes are the thrust areas of the PAU. At present, the University is focusing on one of its priority areas i.e. value addition and agro-processing, he told, highlighting that the PAU is establishing its linkages with the industry for this purpose. The University organizes 14 Kisan Melas every year, in various parts of Punjab, wherein the sea of farmers equip themselves with the latest farm technologies. Seventeen Knowledge Centres known as "Krishi Vigyan Kendras" are operating across the state for the benefit of the farmers, he informed.



Giving an overview of the organizational set-up of the PAU, Dr G. Singh highlighted that the PAU had been a host to the students of 36 countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Mauritius, Thailand, etc.). Currently, students from 13 countries are on the rolls in the University, he said. About the research highlights, Dr Singh said that the PAU has been designated as the "Harbinger of Green Revolution" and has developed/recommended nearly 715 crop varieties/hybrids till date. The University has a strong extension mechanism to update the knowledge of the farmers and impart timely technical guidance to them on various farm issues, he said. Dr Singh also highlighted the national/international collaborations of the PAU.



The delegation members discussed different aspects of agriculture such as bee-keeping, mushroom production, guava cultivation, agro-processing, post-harvest management technologies, organization of Kisan Melas and awards presented to the progressive farmers, and rising interest of girls in agriculture. The delegates also interacted with the deans of constituent colleges of PAU namely Dr H.S. Dhaliwal (Agriculture), Dr PPS Lubana (Agricultural Engineering and Technology), Dr R.S. Sidhu (Basic Sciences and Humanities), and Dr Neelam Grewal (Home Science).


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