Ludhiana, May 14, 2013:An eight-member delegation from Myanmar visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to have a broader view and perspective of Punjab agriculture.
The delegation interacted with Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; and senior officials of the University including Dr P.K. Khanna, Registrar; Dr S.S. Gosal, Director of Research; Dr M.S. Gill, Director of Extension Education; Dr H.S. Sehgal, Additional Director of Communication; Dr (Mrs) J.K. Sangha, Additional Director of Research (Food Science, Nutrition and Engineering); and Dr Kamal Vatta, Deputy Director (Public Relations).
The visiting team, led by U. Saw Myint Oo, Minister, Agriculture and Livestock Breeding, Myanmar; comprised agro-entrepreneurs and flour mill owners. The delegation included U Sein Win Hlaing, Local Assembly Parliament Member; and other members namely U. Aung Kyaw Kyaw, U. Myint Soe, Khin Thike Tin, U. Moe Kyaw, U. Nyan Maung Than, and U. Soe Tint. In his remarks, Dr Dhillon highlighted the stellar achievements of the PAU and said that this premiere institution of the country has been instrumental in steering the green revolution in India. He stated, "The long withstanding impact of PAU's research and extension programmes is visible and evident from the University's pivotal role in making the country food surplus through the development of high-yielding crop varieties, advanced farm techniques and technologies; and their quick dissemination to the farmers."
Dr Dhillon expressed that the PAU looks forward to opening up of ways for forging ties between the two nations.
Dr Gosal revealed that the PAU has recommended/developed more than 700 crops varieties/hybrids till date, out of which 117 have been released at the national level. He dwelt on the role of biotechnology in agriculture. He accompanied the delegation to the Crops Museum of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, wherein they were apprised of the cultivation of wheat, rice, maize, cotton, pulses, sugarcane, fodder and oilseed crops.
Dr Gill said that the PAU has a strong transfer of technology mechanism. Training programmes, exhibitions, campaigns, workshops, front line demonstrations, field days, etc. are some of the extension modes for successful technology dissemination to the stakeholders, he added. He disclosed that PAU was the first University to start Kisan Melas in 1967.Earlier, Dr Sehgal welcoming the delegation, presented a wider view of the organisation set-up of the PAU with special thrust on its three major components including research, teaching and extension programmes. He highlighted the key accomplishments of the PAU and told that the University is running 84 academic programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level.
Dr Sangha coordinated the visit of the delegation to the three different departments of the PAU namely Food and Nutrition; Food Science and Technology; and Processing and Food Engineering. The University experts explained the visiting delegation about the agro-processing techniques, and significance of value added farm products such as natural fruit beverages and multi-grain flour.
U Saw Myint Oo appreciated the knowledge given by the PAU experts and gave a brief description of Myanmar agriculture.
During the interaction with the PAU experts, the delegation members showed keen interest in gaining knowledge about seeds of high-yielding crop varieties, irrigation schedule, farm mechanization, and agri-marketing system.