PAU SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH CHHATTISGARH COMPANY

Ludhiana, June 29, 2017: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) entered into an agreement with the VNR Seeds Private Limited, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, today under which the University offered non-exclusive rights to the company to produce and sell the seed of chilli hybrid CH-27, developed by PAU. Dr Navtej Bains, Director of Research, PAU, and Mr Gurmeet Singh Nanda, Business Manager, VNR Seeds Private Limited, signed the memorandum of agreement (MoA) on behalf of their respective organizations.

The pact was inked in the presence of Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education; Dr P.S. Chahal, Deputy Director of Research; Dr A.S. Dhatt, Head, Department of Vegetable Science; Dr S.S. Chahal, Adjunct Professor, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell; and Dr S.K. Jindal, vegetables expert.

Dr Bains said, “The University has developed more than 800 crop varieties and hybrids till date. It is engaged in research and development of high-yielding varieties and hybrids of field crops, vegetables and fruits.” The University has identified the company (VNR Seeds Private Limited) having expertise to undertake large scale seed production of varieties/hybrids of vegetable crops and their marketing, he added.

The vegetable experts, Dr Dhatt and Dr Jindal said, “The chilli hybrid CH-27 is pungent and resistant to leaf curl virus. Its immature fruits are light green in colour while on maturity, they are deep red.” About 3,000 acres of area in Punjab is under this hybrid, they disclosed. The University has inked pacts with three companies for commercialization of this hybrid, they added.

Dr Chahal said, “Since 2012, the PAU has signed 37 MoAs with various companies across the country for commercialization of hybrid seed of vegetable crops, their products and technologies.” The VNR Seeds Private Limited has already taken license from PAU for production and marketing of seeds of brinjal hybrid PBHR-42 and two pumpkin hybrids PPH-1 and PPH-2, he informed.

Mr Nanda said their company is involved in research and marketing of cereals and vegetable crops at national and international level since 1969.