Ludhiana, May 17, 2013:There is an increasing demand for the Asian vegetables in US due to the exodus of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi communities,” said Harbhajan S. Samra, a progressive farmer and a successful entrepreneur based in California, USA.
Samra, during his one-day visit to Ludhiana visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and held a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon. He also visited the Centre for Communication and International Linkages wherein he interacted with the experts of Communication Centre, and Department of Economics and Sociology.
Samra, a vegetable grower, has been designated as an “Okra King,” by the New York Times. In his remarks, Dr Dhillon appreciated the achievements of Samra and said, “Giving employment to 150 people in US is a testimony of his success, innovation, and ability to change.” He underlined the need to recognize the hard working Punjabi farmers settled across the globe.
During interaction, Samra said that the major purpose of his visit to the PAU is acquiring knowledge about the latest farm technologies, which can be applied in US upon his return. Informing that he grows okra, radish, ber, eggplant, tinda, methi, etc., Samra highlighted that he sells vegetables throughout United States, Canada, and Britain.
“I import most of the vegetable seed from India,” he said.
Gurdev. S. Momi, former PAU Professor and Head, Extension Education, said Samra’s 400 plus acre farm stands as a role model for many aspiring entrepreneurs.