LUDHIANA, JANUARY 17: To have the perspective of Indian agriculture and the innovative farm practices, a 36-member delegation from France visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. The delegation members comprised farmers, scientists and technicians of Triskalia Group, France. They interacted with the PAU experts and visited field areas of the Departments of Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG), Agrometeorology, Soil Science and Agronomy. They also visited the teaching farm of vegetable crops.
Leading the delegation, Mr Denis Manach, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Triskalia, and Mr Dominique Ciccone, Managing Director, Triskalia, said that the prime focus of the visit is to gather know how on promoting modern, competitive and sustainable agriculture for which PAU is well known. They disclosed that on a global scale, France is the largest European agricultural producer and agriculture is a vital segment of the French economy’s workforce. Food security for present and future generations is one of the building blocks of sustainable development, said Mr. Monach, adding that the group assists the farmers in technical, economic, environmental issues and contributes to the social and economic vitality of the rural areas. Aiming at providing food to men, women and children all over the world, the Triskalia group seeks to promote contemporary farming, reconciling productivity and care for the environment, told he. Lauding the contribution of the PAU in wiping out food deficiency, the delegation members said that their visit to the university aims at acquainting themselves with the way the Indian people survive with second largest population. They also evinced keen interest in agricultural practices followed by the Indian framers.
While conducting the delegation to demonstration plots of new varieties, the Head of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Dr M.S. Gill, said that their future emphasis is on the development of specialty maize hybrids/composites and their production and protection technology, breeding for multiple disease and pest resistance, integrated management of nutrients, weeds, water, diseases and pests and development of germplasm suitable for resource conservation. The experts of Soil Science, Agronomy and Agrometeorology shed light on the research activities of their respective departments. Dr. U.S.Sidana, Head, Department of Soil Science said that the University has recommended technologies such as Leaf Colour Chart, Tensiometer that save nitrogen and water, respectively. He explained how integrated nutrient management technology is helpful in addressing the deficiency of micro-nutrients in different crops. Dr. G.S.Butter explained the benefits of Laser Land Leveler and Happy Seeder machines. Dr. K.K.Gill and Dr. Prabhjot Kaur explained the system of weather forecasting and issuing of agro-advisories to farmers.
Earlier, Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, Additional Director Communication, PAU, welcomed the delegates and familiarized them with programmes of the University. Informing that the PAU is celebrating Golden Jubilee in 2012, he highlighted that the university played a pivotal role in ushering in an era of green revolution and in the agricultural development in India. He told that the PAU has released about 700 crop varieties and hybrids. Farmers repose full faith in agricultural techniques and technologies evolved by the PAU experts, added he.
