Ludhiana

The Heads of the Departments of Engineering from the National Centre for Precision Farming, Harper Adams University, U.K.,Dr Paramjit Chima and Dr Kit Franklin and Ms Sarah K. Lam, Assistant Vice President International Affairs from Division of Continuing and Global Education, Fresno, California, visited the Punjab Agricultural University on September 13 to identify areas for mutual collaboration with special focus on precision agriculture.

In his presentation, Dr Chima highlighted sustainable energy, precision irrigation, and laser weeding as specific research areas of collaboration with PAU. The chief aim of visit, he added was to discuss the involvement of PAU in the ‘first of its kind’ Hands Free Hectare project that would eliminate the use of man power right from sowing to harvesting. “Since it is based on the futuristic automation and drone technology, youth from diverse education backgrounds would be required to run it successfully”, he explained.

Ms Sarah Lam, while inviting the university faculty to visit California as visiting scholars, outlined the areas of water management, pesticide control, technology of citrus, guava and mango cultivation and exchange of expertise in mechanization as major areas to be taken forward for mutual partnership.

PAU Vice Chancellor, Dr B.S. Dhillon, in his remarks stressed on the importance of raising farm income in the state and towards this the major focus is on decreasing cost of farm inputs. Therefore, he stressed that precision agriculture can be a way forward. He specified that PAU would seek collaboration in the areas of water management, agro chemicals, high value crops, farm mechanization and laser technology for weeding.

Earlier, Dr R.S. Sidhu, Registrar, PAU, welcomed the dignitaries and Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director Research presented the salient achievements of PAU. Officers of the university, Deans, Directors, Heads of various departments and faculty members were also present during the meeting.