PAU GETS NEW DIRECTOR (EXTENSION)

Ludhiana, January 22, 2018: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has appointed Dr J.S.Mahal as Director of Extension Education, and Dr MIS Gill as Additional Director of Research (Horticulture and Food Science) for a period of four years. Dr (Mrs) R.K.Dhaliwal and Dr Ashok Kumar have been given second term as Director Students’ Welfare and Additional Director of Research (Farm Mechanization and Bio-energy), respectively. All the appointments were approved during the 284th meeting of the Board of Management, PAU, held under the Chairmanship of Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, at University Camp Office, SAS Nagar (Mohali) today.

Dr Mahal has been instrumental in developing eight technologies including high capacity axial flow maize thresher, manual seed drill, paddy transplanters and mat type nursery, high clearance sprayer, cotton gap filler, paddy straw chopper, groundnut thresher and rotary weeder. All these technologies have been recommended by PAU and are included in Package of Practices. As Professor of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, he has been dynamically involved in teaching and extension services in his field. During his tenure as Head, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, he initiated research in key areas including energy management, resource conservation, farm safety, development of efficient farm equipment like tractor operator mat-type nursery transplanter for rice, paddy straw chopper-cum-spreader etc. He has also served as Additional Director of Research (Farm Mechanization and Bio-energy) and Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, PAU. He has played a key role in transferring technologies by organizing 19 trainings, 18 field days, 27 demonstrations, 50 field demonstrations and 66 exhibitions. In addition, he has delivered 214 lectures and 12 radio/TV talks.