German delegation visits PAU, Deliberates on bilateral cooperation

Ludhiana, November 25, 2014”: Ursula Holzhauser, Counsellor, Food and Agriculture, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany, New Delhi visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today and discussed the scope of bilateral cooperation with the University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon. Ursula Holzhauser was accompanied by two German delegates including Dr Hermann J.Schloder, Head of Division, Trade Promotion and Quality Policy, Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture; and Alina Gumpert, Director, Agri-business, German Asia-Pacific Business Association. The delegation also interacted with the senior officers of PAU.

Welcoming the visiting delegation, Dr Dhillon highlighted PAU’s role in heralding green revolution in the country and referred to the landmark varieties including ‘Kalyan Sona 227’ and ‘PBW 343’ of wheat, and ‘PR 106’ of rice. He said that PAU was adjudged as “Best Agricultural University” of India by Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1995. Besides, Dr Dhillon also talked about paddy straw management technologies, Kisan Melas (farmer’s fair), PAU farm publications and other popular crop varieties. He evinced interest in collaborating in the areas of natural resource conservation like soil and water, studying climate variability, value addition for food processing, farm mechanization and biotechnology.

Holzhauser said that everybody talks about PAU and that they have been wishing to meet PAU VC, Dr Dhillon for the long time. “Since there are many agricultural institutes in Germany having research cooperation worldwide, we aim at finding out mutual areas of interest with PAU in agriculture” she added. Dr Schloder was highly impressed by the presentation of Dr Dhillon. He said that there are around 3.5 lakh farms in Germany with 70 per cent of part-time farmers engaged in farming. Wheat, barley, oats, sugarbeet are some of the major crops, he told, saying that Germany also has high share of grasslands. He expressed concern over the extreme weather conditions affecting farming. In addition, Dr Schloder said that their complete focus is on addressing the problems of the farmers, and on giving scientific research advice. Progressive thinking is vital in agriculture, he added.

Gumpert deliberated on mutually beneficial areas for entering into joint venture with PAU as well as industry.

Dr J.S. Mahal, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, explained about the PAU-farmer-industry linkages.

During the interaction, Dr P.K. Khanna, Registrar; Dr Balwinder Singh, Director of Research; Dr R.S. Sidhu, Director of Extension Education; Dr Chander Mohan, Additional Director Communication, Dr M.S. Sidhu, Technical Advisor to PAU VC; and Dr M.S. Dhaliwal, Head, Vegetable Science were among others present on the occasion.

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