Ludhiana
Two day training on various aspects of seed production technology for 15 officials from the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, kick started here today with seven lectures spread over a period of two days along with practical sessions on seed testing, seed processing and sampling and field inspection at University Seed Farm, Ladhowal. The organizer of the training programme, Dr T.S. Dhillon revealed that the lectures will be on quality seed production of chilli, potato, pea, fodder crops, wheat and paddy. The resource persons are Dr Rajinder Singh, Senior Scientist ( vegetable seeds), Dr Satpal Sharma, Assistant Vegetable Botanist, Dr R.K. Dhall, Olericulturist, Dr U.S. Tiwana, Senior Agronomist, Dr V.S. Sohu, Senior Wheat Breeder, Dr G.S. Mangat, Senior Rice Breeder and Dr T.S. Dhillon, Director Seeds, Dr J.S. Dhindsa, Seed Testing Officer, Dr T.P. Singh, Asstt. Plant Breeder, Dr KB. Singh, Director, USF, Ladhowal, Dr Deepak Arora, Seed Production Specialist will take practical sessions.

Group leader and Agronomist, Hassamuddin Rahimi shared that the group was excited about being trained by one of the best agricultural universities in the world and that they hoped to take back valuable experiences for improving agricultural output back home.

Earlier PAU Director Research, Dr Navtej Singh Bains welcomed the delegates and assured them of a comfortable stay and memorable training experiences. Dr K.S. Thind, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement) debriefed about the training and said that similarity of agro ecological zones and crops of the two countries will help facilitate the training. Dr Sain Dass Ghai, Maize breeder and Ram Prakash, Seed Advisor, Hindustan Insecticides limited accompanied the delegates.