Strengthening Agricultural Ties: Brazilian Delegation Visits LPU

Jalandhar, April 8, 2024: A high-level delegation from the Brazilian Embassy to India recently visited Lovely Professional University (LPU) to strengthen collaborations between Brazilian universities and LPU. The delegation included Angelo de Queiroz Mauricio, Agriculture Attaché, and Wagner Silva e Antunes, Trade Head. They engaged in productive discussions and preliminary interactions with Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Founder Chancellor & Rajya Sabha Member, and Dr. Aman Mittal, Vice President of LPU.

During the visit, the delegation focused on enhancing agricultural practices in both Brazil and India through educational institutions. The discussions explored potential avenues for strengthening agricultural relations and establishing a solid foundation for farmers and agricultural students in both countries. The delegation also visited LPU's School of Agriculture to explore possible joint projects.

LPU's agriculture discipline holds the distinction of being the first private program accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The university offers an up-to-date curriculum tailored to industry needs, world-class laboratories, and hands-on training through live projects on its research farms.

With 20 partner universities already in Brazil; LPU is now eager to further strengthen cooperation through joint research projects, publications, semester exchanges, and short-term programs. The delegation also expressed interest in areas such as long-term student mobility programs, Ayurveda Studies training projects, animal disease research, scientific cooperation, technological research, and agricultural initiatives.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Founder Chancellor of LPU and Rajya Sabha Member, stated, "We are honoured to host the delegation from the Brazilian Embassy. This visit marks an important step towards fostering collaborations between our institutions. By sharing knowledge and expertise, we can contribute to the growth and development of both nations' agricultural sectors."

According to Angelo de Queiroz Mauricio, Agriculture Attaché in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Food Supply of Brazil at the Embassy of Brazil in India, a robust partnership in agriculture will be mutually beneficial for Brazil and India, as well as their respective institutions.

Accompanying the Brazilian delegation were senior officials from the Government of Punjab, including S. P. Garg, Chief Protocol Officer & Consultant of Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (INVEST PUNJAB); Sunil Juneja, Investment Facilitation Officer; and Aman Sharma, Senior Consultant.

In addition, considering the limited availability of millets in Brazil, there is an opportunity to promote millet-based food products, benefiting the population, industry, and agricultural students. Collaboration on regulatory and scientific aspects can facilitate the introduction of millets in Brazil, leveraging their nutritious qualities.