LUDHIANA
A research project entitled “Addressing Food Security through Nutritionally Enriched Improved Cultivars and Technologies for Swasth Bharat” has been awarded to the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) under the DST-PURSE Phase II programme. Under this support, PAU will receive Rs 11.0 crore for research and infrastructure development.

Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, congratulated the Directorate of Research and the Departments of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Soil Sciences, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Vegetable Sciences, and Food Science and Technology on bagging this prestigious project grant.

The research platform will focus primarily on exploitation of germplasm, skills and research facilities to carry out an integrated study on nutritional aspects under the theme ‘Swasth Bharat.’ The nutritional quality in wheat (high grain protein and carotenoid pigment content), rice (enhancing Zinc and protein) and pulses (high Zinc and iron) are targeted to be enhanced genetically. Similarly, vegetable scientists will focus on harnessing potential of home grown harvest in kitchen garden for healthy life. Development of integrated pest and disease management strategy for minimizing pesticide load in field and vegetable crops will be the mandate of plant protection disciplines. Soil sciences will focus on improving soil health by reducing soil, air and water pollution. Food Science and Technology will have a mandate of value addition of field and vegetable crops for improved nutrition. A Project Implementation Group from all concerned disciplines has been constituted by the university as per DST guidelines.