US EXPERT VISITS COMMUNICATION CENTRE, LAUDS IT FOR SERVING WHOLE VARSITY

LUDHIANA, APRIL 10:



A Citrus Fruit Breeder from the University of Florida, USA, Dr Fred G. Gmitter visited the Centre for Communication and International Linkages (CCIL) of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. He interacted with the Additional Director of Communication, Dr H.S. Sehgal and other staff members. Dr Gmitter also visited the Museum of Rural Life and Social History of Punjab, Museum of Water Resources (Dr Uppal Museum) and the Virus Free Citrus Nursery Production Unit, Department of Fruit Science, PAU.



In his welcome remarks, Dr Sehgal said that the major mandate of the CCIL is to communicate and disseminate farm techniques and technologies, developed by the PAU experts, to the farmers through print and electronic media, and through the publication of farm literature. "The farm publications, brought out by the CCIL, are in a great demand amongst the farming community," he informed. The two monthly farm magazines "Progressive Farming and Changi Kheti (English and Punjabi edition), and the Package of Practices for Kharif and Rabi Crops have gained momentum amongst the farmers, he said. All the publications sell like hot cakes throughout the year and during the Kisan Melas (Farmers\' Fair), organized twice a year in March and September in various parts of the Punjab state.



Dr Gmitter stated, "I am deeply impressed by the work of CCIL which is serving the whole University." The extension activities of the PAU are indeed laudable, he said, while pointing out that the extension system in USA is taking a back seat. Revealing that Florida is an urbanized state, with five per cent of its population engaged in farming, he observed that the agriculture outside Florida is limited. Dr Gmitter told that they have a number of farm magazines in Florida, based on citrus and other fruits and vegetables. "We have orchards in 7000 to 8000 acres," he said, adding that the farmers grow sweet orange, strawberry, blue berry, etc.



During his visit to the Fruit Science Department, he educated the scientists about the In vitro propagation of Carrizo Rootstock.



Those who participated in the interaction included Dr A.P. Singh, Senior Editor (English), Dr Gurbhajan Gill, Editor (Punjabi), Dr Ramandeep Jassal, Deputy Director (Publications), Dr Anil Sharma, Assistant Director (TV/Radio), and other staff members.
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