Punjab Agricultural University and California University Sign Deal for Cooperation in Agriculture Sector

Punjab Agricultural University, PAU, Ludhiana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the California State University, Fresno, US for cooperation in crop improvement, agricultural business, biotechnology, natural resources, production & cultural practices and water & irrigation technology.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the universities will facilitate exchange of scientists & technologists, exchange of scientific literature, information & methodology, exchange of scientific equipment, exchange of research material and implement collaborative research projects. Vice-Chancellor, PAU Baldev Singh Dhillon and President of California State University Dr Joseph I Castro signed the agreement.

A nine-member delegation from California State University, which was led by Saul Jimenez-Sandoval visited Punjab Agricultural University and interacted with the senior officials as well as heads of various departments.

Dhillon said that Punjab Agricultural University is committed to forge ties with other universities and  institutes involved in developing quality manpower & research collaborations, both in India and abroad. Underlining the contribution of agricultural stalwarts, Dhillon said that Dr GS Khush, internationally known rice breeder and Dr DS Athwal, father of wheat revolution in Punjab, have been instrumental in heralding Green Revolution.

Director of Research, Navtej Singh Bains, explaining about the research programmes said, “California has 25.4 million acres of cropland while Punjab has 10.37 million acres. California exports walnuts & almonds to India and Punjab exports basmati rice to the US. Both the universities can also work together for Kinnow mandarin, almonds, grapes and vegetable crops.”