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Agro Universities, Agrotech, R&D

Among wheat varieties, new recommendations comprising PBW Zinc 2, PBW RS 1 and PBW 826 will be the major highlight

In a bid to advocate the adoption of climate-resilient varieties and resource conservation technologies, various departments of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) will put up stalls and hold field demonstrations during the two-day Kisan Mela to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the farmers, farm women and youths to enable them to reap substantial agri-economic rewards.

Among wheat varieties, new recommendations comprising PBW Zinc 2, PBW RS 1 and PBW 826 will be the major highlight. Besides, PBG 10 of chickpeas, IPFD 12-2 of field peas and Ajmer Fennel 2 of fennel are some of the other new varieties which will be the area of focus. Live demonstrations will be given on varieties of vegetable crops, techniques of nursery raising, resource conservation technologies, nutrition garden models, and integrated pest management in different crops. In addition, exhibitions will be put up on in-situ rice straw management, mushroom cultivation, low tunnel and net-house technologies for vegetables, PAU fruit fly trap and termite trap, leaf colour chart, irrigation and drip irrigation techniques in orchards, establishment of disease-free citrus nursery, system of layout of orchards, herbal gulal from petals of different flowers, and gladiolus varieties, cut foliage, dry and fresh flowers. Farmers will also be provided marketing tips for poplar and eucalyptus wood.

In agricultural engineering and processing, farmers will be apprised of PAU Smart Seeder, Surface Seeder, spraying system with unmanned aerial vehicle/drone, improved grain storage methods, mini rice mill, maize dryer, turmeric processing, agro-processing complex, honey processing and related equipment, onion storage structure and jaggery processing. Apart from this, experts will explain vodka production from Kufri Pukhraj, red wine production from grapes, the value addition of millets, the value addition of button mushroom via paste preparation, low alcoholic carbonated beverages, and healthy and value-added products.

Field demonstrations on surface seeding-cum-mulching, a low-cost and easy technique for paddy residue management, as well as dragon fruit cultivation (recommended varieties are Red Dragon 1 and White Dragon 1), will also be given. Thrust will also be laid on demonstrating biogas generation from paddy straw (dry fermentation), paddy straw bale geysers for heating water and large-scale fixed dome-type biogas plants for dairy farmers.

Among wheat varieties, new recommendations comprising PBW

Agro Universities

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh in the presence of Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor, PAU and Dr Harinder Kumar Chaudhary, Vice Chancellor, CSKHPKV.  

The main objective of this MoU is to promote and enhance scientific and academic interaction between both the universities and to strengthen ties among researchers, farmers and students of these universities.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, said that this association leads for joint evaluation and screening of crop varieties under different climatic conditions available in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. 

Synthesis of research proposals based upon emergent needs will also be a part of this MoU, he adds. In addition, joint experimentation to address common agricultural issues of the border districts of both the states, collaboration in research programmes of postgraduate students in different disciplines of agriculture and allied fields, and cooperation for sharing of scientific knowledge, library, laboratories and field facilities will be the focus areas, he informs.

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana recently

Agro Universities, People

She will work on the development of an efficient in vivo haploid induction system in maize through gene-editing

Dr Priti Sharma, Assistant Professor (Biotechnology), School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has bagged SERB International Research Experience Award for the year 2022-2023 supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India for advanced training at University of Missouri, USA.

She will work on the development of an efficient in vivo haploid induction system in maize through gene-editing at Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, (USA) with Professor Bing Yang as mentor. Dr Priti will utilise innovative technologies such as CRISPR/CAS9 and unique maize germplasm available with the host laboratory.

Dr Parveen Chhuneja, Director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, said the expertise so acquired will be applied for genome editing in other crops.

Sarvjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research and Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, congratulated Dr Sharma for this achievement and wished her success in her future endeavours.

She will work on the development of

Agro Universities, Agrotech

The machine will help in managing paddy straw management as this machine has advantages of Super Seeder and Happy Seeder technology

A memorandum of agreement on tractor operated PAU Smart Seeder was signed between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Hoshiarpur Steels, village Dhadha, district Jalandhar, Punjab.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr Ashok Kumar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and Director of Extension Education; and Dr Gursahib Singh Manes, Additional Director of Research (Farm Machinery and Bioenergy) congratulated Dr Rajesh Goyal, Scientist and Dr Manpreet Singh, Extension Scientist for the commercialisation of the technology .

The Head of the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering Dr Mahesh Kumar Narang said that the machine will help in managing paddy straw management as this machine has advantages of Super Seeder and Happy Seeder technology.

As per the details provided by the concerned scientists, PAU Smart Seeder places wheat seeds in a well-tilled narrow band of soil and covers the seed rows with soil, using furrow closing rollers. The machine can be operated with a 45 to 50 hp tractor. The field capacity and fuel consumption of the machine is 0.4 ha/h and 5.5 l/acre, respectively.

Dr Usha Nara, Plant Breeder, Technology Marketing and IPR cell, PAU informed that the university have signed 289 MoAs till date with different companies/firms/individuals. She also mentioned this was the eighth MoA for this technology.

The machine will help in managing paddy

Agro Universities, Bee keeping

Discussions were held on managing various diseases of Italian honey bees and development of quality queen bees of Apis mellifera

The National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India (GOI), has sanctioned two new projects in Apiculture to the Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) scheme of the GOI. This information was shared Dr DK Sharma, Head of the department.

According to Dr Pardeep Kumar Chhuneja, Incharge of the Apiculture Unit, the new projects included ‘Facilitating honey bee health through diagnosing and managing various diseases of Italian honey bees’ and ‘Development of quality queen bees of Apis mellifera.’

Dr Sharma disclosed that earlier also, PAU was sanctioned two projects in succession by NBB, the previous being on Queen bee rearing and supplies, followed by a mega project of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre/Centre of Excellence in the year 2016-17 which had bee disease diagnosis and bee breeding as the components.

Dr Jaspal Singh, Principle Entomologist, “PAU is the lead institute in India in breeding of Italian honey bees and supply of quality queen bees to beekeepers.”

Dr Amit Choudhary and Dr (Mrs) Bharathi Mohindru are the Principal Investigators of the projects, respectively, according to whom, these projects will facilitate in building necessary infrastructure and developing technologies in the areas of bee pathology and bee breeding.

DK Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor, PAU and Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab; and Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, congratulated the apiculture team and wished them for the successful conduct of the projects.

Discussions were held on managing various diseases

Agro Universities, Seeds

As many as 52 farmers and scientists of the development departments participated in the webinar organised by PAU
The Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised an online webinar on “Hybrid Seed Production of Vegetable Crops” under the guidance of Dr Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Head, Department of Vegetable Science, in which as many as 52 farmers and scientists of the development departments participated.

In his remarks, Dr Dhillon highlighted the scope and importance of hybrid seed production of vegetable crops. “Vegetable cultivation is of immense importance in today’s era for vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates,” he added.

Dr Salesh Kumar Jindal, Senior Vegetable Breeder, explained the activities like identification and maintenance of male and female flowers in tomato and chilli for successful production of hybrid seeds in detail.

Dr Satpal Sharma, Principal Vegetable Breeder, shed light on the activities like identification and maintenance of male and female flowers in muskmelon for successful production of hybrid seeds.

Dr Jagdish Singh, Soil Chemist, Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur, imparted knowledge about soil health management under vegetable crops. He shared experiences about sowing methods and fertiliser practices of different vegetables.

As many as 52 farmers and scientists

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Seeds

The two firms are Dhanjal Agriculture Industries, Ludhiana and Punjab Engineering Works, Ferozepur, Punjab

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on tractor operated PAU Smart Seeder was signed between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and two firms namely Dhanjal Agriculture Industries (regd.) Ludhiana and Punjab Engineering Works (regd.), Ferozepur, Punjab.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr Ashok Kumar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and Director of Extension Education; Dr Gursahib Singh Manes, Additional Director of Research (Farm Mechanization and Bioenergy) congratulated Dr Rajesh Goyal, Scientist and Dr Manpreet Singh, Extension Scientist, for the commercialisation of the technology.

The Head of the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Dr Mahesh Kumar Narang said that this machine will help in managing paddy straw management as it has advantages of Super Seeder and Happy Seeder technology.

“PAU Smart Seeder manages the paddy residues by incorporation and surface mulching and thus, smartly retains the benefits of both Happy Seeder and Super Seeder in a single machine. PAU Smart Seeder places wheat seeds in a well-tilled narrow band of soil and covers the seed rows with soil, using furrow closing rollers. This machine can be operated with 45 to 50 hp tractor. The field capacity and fuel consumption of the machine is 0.4 ha/hour and 5.5 litre/acre, respectively,” he added.

In 2021, PAU in collaboration with its industry partners worked to stop paddy straw burning under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project initiatives and large-scale demonstrations/popularization of Smart Seeder were conducted on around 200 ha of area.

Dr Usha Nara, Plant Breeder, Technology Marketing and IPR cell, PAU informed that the university has signed 285 MoAs to date with different companies/firms/individuals. She also said that seven MoAs have been signed for this technology.

The two firms are Dhanjal Agriculture Industries,

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Agrotech, Allied Industry, Animal Health, Horticulture, Live Stock

The course organised by the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU, will culminate on March 18

A short course on ‘Communication and Management Skills for Transfer of Agrotechnology’ kicked off at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The course, which has been organised by the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU, will culminate on March 18. 

A total of 21 participants, representing 14 states and one Union Territory, are attending the course. Scientists of 13 different disciplines (agronomy, agricultural extension education, aquaculture, biochemistry, home science extension education, horticulture, entomology, food science and technology, mechanical engineering, plant physiology, soil science, statistics and veterinary extension education) from 14 state agricultural universities/colleges and seven Krishi Vigyan Kendras have registered for the course.

 The chief guest Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education, PAU and Course Director, said, “There are four main types of communication technology that have contributed to the ease of sending messages: telephone, radio, television and internet. Nowadays, social media platforms, blogs, vlogs, live video streams, conferencing and live lecture technology, group wikis, group forums, tablet computers, etc. are very common in use. All the modern techniques of different modes of communication must be target oriented.”

Dr KK Gill, Principal Agrometeorologist and Course Coordinator welcomed the dignitaries and the participants. She stated, “The new age IT tools have proved to be very helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic for the transfer of information to different stakeholders.”

Dr Simerjeet Kaur, Principal Agronomist and Course Coordinator, proposed a vote of thanks.

During the course, Dr Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI; Dr GS Buttar and Dr GPS Sodhi, Additional Directors of Extension Education; Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, PAU and many other scientists and heads of the departments from other adjoining institutes will enrich the knowledge of the trainees. 

The course organised by the Directorate of

Agro Universities, Bee keeping

Discussions were held on how to create awareness among beekeepers by designing courses with the support of ICAR schemes

A 21- day Winter School on “Commercial Apiculture for Livelihood Security of Farmers and Unemployed Rural Youth” concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The programme was organised by the Department of Entomology, PAU under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). In total, 29 participants from 12 states comprising Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and one Union Territory Ladakh participated in the winter school.

In his concluding remarks, the chief guest, Dr Naveen Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture) and Executive Director, National Bee Board, New Delhi, observed that there were some issues and problems in the apiculture sector which called for the attention of the apiculture scientists. 

“Some crops remain untouched and scientists need to work on the schedule of the crops which can be recommended in apiculture,” he said. Besides, Dr Patle made a call for focusing on technology demonstrations, increasing the quality and quality of by-products made from honey, and creating awareness among the beekeepers by designing courses with the support of ICAR schemes.

The guest of honour Dr Seema Jaggi, Additional Director General (Human Resource Development), ICAR, New Delhi, said that apiculture was an area where more entrepreneurs could be developed. The winter school was a two-way process; it provided an opportunity to disseminate knowledge in apiculture (by experts) and learn in return (from participants). Seeing the relevance of beekeeping, the programme was chalked out for the livelihood and security of the farmers, she remarked.

Dr Sandeep Bains, Nodal Officer and Dean, Postgraduate Studies, said that the university made an outstanding contribution in the commercialisation and industrialisation of apiculture, thus, opening the gates for the export of Apis Mellifera in 1996. “PAU has the credit of producing the largest hive manufacturers as well as the honey traders and exporters,” she added.

Dr MIS Gill, Dean, College of Agriculture, said: “PAU is leading in apiculture research. Since the introduction of Italian honey bee Apis Mellifera by a noted entomologist Dr AS Atwal in 1962, PAU has never looked back in apiculture.” Apiculture was an asset that could earn money for the small and marginal farmers/labourers, he observed. Dr Gill voiced his concern over the issue of ‘adulteration’ in honey and stressed maintaining its quality to win the faith of the consumers.

Dr DK Sharma, Head, Department of Entomology, said that the department has made 30 national recommendations in apiculture till date. “PAU was the first in India to start Experiential Learning Programme (ELP) in apiculture,” he revealed. The University has the distinction of having an Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre and a Toxicology Laboratory, fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for the analysis of pesticide residues in agricultural produce and commodity samples. The lab is set up as per the Bureau of Indian Standards under the National Accreditation Board for Laboratory and has been declared as the referral lab for pesticide residue analysis at the national level, he told.

Dr PK Chhuneja, Professor of Entomology and Course Director, in his welcome address, said that the winter school was a great learning experience for the apiculture scientists. It touched all the developmental aspects of apiculture through the organisation of 100 specialised lectures and virtual tours of apicultural manufacturers and beekeeping entrepreneurs, he added. Dr Chhuneja disclosed that the participants also toured Nagrota Bagwan (then in Punjab state and presently in Himachal Pradesh), where Apis Mellifera was introduced in India in 1962.

 Dr Jaspal Singh, Principal Entomologist, proposed a vote of thanks.

During the programme, four participating scientists, namely, Dr Sunita Yadav, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar; Dr Kumaranag KM, ICAR- All India Coordinated Research Project (Honey Bees and Pollinators); Dr Ipsita Odisi Priyadarsini Mishra, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Odisha; and Dr PS Neharkar, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Prabhani, Maharashtra, hailed the informative lectures and the tours, organised by the PAU. They described the winter school training as ‘excellent.’

Discussions were held on how to create

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Environment, Sustainability

The week-long celebrations will see competitions, lectures by eminent scientists, screening of films and plays, plantation drive, and visits to fields and laboratories

The National Science Week celebrations commenced at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The week will be marked as Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate under the directions of the Cultural Ministry of the Government of India. The Punjab State Council of Science and Technology is the Nodal Agency in Punjab, as per which Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana districts have been selected to celebrate the week.

In her inaugural address, the chief guest Dr (Mrs) Sandeep Bains, Dean, Postgraduate Studies and Dean, College of Community Science, said that the National Science Day is celebrated on February 28 every year, to encourage the youth to pursue science and be fascinated by the accomplishments of the Nobel Laureate (Physics) CV Raman and other scientists.

“Scientific and technical knowledge allows us to study and predict nature through scientific methods,” she added. “Given the major global challenges like climate change, water scarcity and biodiversity, it is important to understand the language of science to contribute to the field significantly,” she stressed.

Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, said that it was essential for the students of the university and schools to understand the role of stalwarts as well as science and communication in their daily life.

Dr Anil Sharma, Coordinator, said that the week-long celebrations will see competitions, lectures by eminent scientists, screening of films and plays, plantation drive, and visits to fields and laboratories at PAU.

On the occasion, cartoon and poster making competitions were organised in which students from educational institutions of Ludhiana participated. An exhibition, showcasing the achievements of the renowned scientists, has also been put up.

The week-long celebrations will see competitions, lectures

Agro Universities, Bee keeping

The registration of Bee Revolution Portal was done by Dr Jagdeep Singh, Nodal Officer

Under the guidance of Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has organised a monthly webinar for the members of Progressive Beekeepers Association (PBKA). A total of 68 participants attended the webinar.

Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication and Programme Associate Director, while reviewing the activities of the club, said in view of dwindling income, many entrepreneurs be it farmers, farm women and youths are adopting beekeeping as a subsidiary occupation. Entrepreneurs are getting remunerative returns from this enterprise, he said, while stressing upon the members to motivate fellow farmers and youths also to adopt apiculture on commercial level.

Dr Jaspal Singh, Entomology expert, explained the management of honey bees in summer season. The registration of Bee Revolution Portal was done by Dr Jagdeep Singh, Nodal Officer.


The registration of Bee Revolution Portal was

Agro Universities, Sustainability

About 53 scientists and students from ICAR institutes and state agricultural universities attended the interaction lecture

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised an online lecture on ‘Ecosystem Services of Forest Plantations and Agroforestry Systems’ to give emphasis on intangible benefits. About 53 scientists and students from ICAR institutes and state agricultural universities attended the interaction lecture that was held under the ICAR development grant.

Dr SK Chauhan, Prof and Head, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, welcomed the guest speaker Gitanjali, IFS, and participants in the programme.

Gitanjali, joined from Helsinki, Finland and made a presentation on quantification of ecological services of plantations. She emphasised on provisioning, regulatory, cultural and supporting services of the plantations, which are very beneficial but have least been attempted. In recent years, some emphasis has been placed on carbon trading, otherwise, other intangible services (water, soil, biodiversity, oxygen, etc.) have least been quantified and no monetary values are attached, she added.

Dr Dipankar Saha, an Ecologist from ICAR institute, proposed a vote of thanks.

About 53 scientists and students from ICAR

Agro Universities

The handbook covers statistics of Punjab, soil testing laboratories in Punjab, the minimum support price of different crops

The agricultural handbook and desk calendar of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) were released by DK Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor and Financial Commissioner, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Both the handbook and calendar have been published by the Communication Centre, PAU. Tiwari lauded PAU’s efforts in bringing out the calendar and handbook which covers statistics of Punjab, soil testing laboratories in Punjab, the minimum support price of different crops, improved crop varieties recommended in Punjab, planting of orchards, list of fruit nurseries, ornamental trees for Punjab, etc.

Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director of Extension Education, said the handbook also highlights a summary of a package of practices for vegetable crops, recommendations of fruit trees according to zones, important plant diseases and their management, etc.

Dr Tejinder Singh Riar, Additional Director Communication, said the Handbook aims at promoting crop diversification in Punjab.

Present on the occasion were Dilraj Singh, Secretary, Agriculture, Punjab; Dr Gurvinder Singh, Director of Agriculture, Punjab; and Krunesh Garg, Member, Punjab Pollution Control Board.

PAU also released a brochure of the Communication Centre of PAU. Speaking on the ocassion, Dr Jaskarn Singh Mahal, Director of Extension Education, said the centre plays a significant role in disseminating and updating the scientific knowledge of farmers through, print, electronic and social media. The centre has given a new direction to its programmes keeping in view the challenging times of pandemic, he added. Since its inception, it started with farm publications and presently, it is spreading its wings across Punjab and other states through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools.

The handbook covers statistics of Punjab, soil

Agro Universities

The total grant of these projects amounts to approximately Rs 40 lakhs.

The Department of Processing and Food Engineering (PFE), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been granted two research projects entitled “Development of the Hermetic System for Safe Storage of Agricultural Produce without Using Hazardous Chemicals” and “Development of Sensor Platform for Rapid Detection of Adulteration in Turmeric Powder” by the Society of Mission Tandrust Punjab (SMTP) under the chairmanship of Anirudh Tewari, IAS, Chief Secretary, Punjab.

The research projects were submitted by Dr Mahesh Kumar, Head, Department of PFE; Dr Gagandeep Kaur, Dr Preetinder Kaur and Dr Maninder Kaur, scientists from PFE; Dr DK Sharma, Senior Entomologist; and Dr Derminder Singh, Professor of Electrical Engineering. The first project aims at developing and evaluating cocoon based flexible storage system that would make available pesticide free grain storage system and hence prevent health and environment hazards. The second proposal targets to develop mechanisms for rapid detection of different adulterants in turmeric powder and create and evaluate a sensor platform for rapid detection of different adulterants in turmeric powder. The total grant of these projects amounts to approximately Rs 40 lakhs.

The PAU Vice Chancellor DK Tiwari, IAS Financial Commissioner, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Director of Research Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt and Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology Dr Ashok Kumar congratulated the scientists for their achievements.

The total grant of these projects amounts