PAU roadmap for agro-based research in state
Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 28
Punjab Agricultural University has submitted to the Chancellor, General S.F. Rodrigues (retired) a road map to over come “economic crisis in Punjab” and a blue print for “collaborative agro-based research and development” between the university and industry to promote scientist-entrepreneur-farmer linkage. The university action plan on these issues is intended to change the face of Punjab agriculture and profile of rural development.

This is a follow up to a presentation made by Guru Nanak Dev University Professor Jai Rup Singh to General Rodrigues at Raj Bhavan last week. The presentation on “present and future Punjab” gives a bird’s eye view of the existing agricultural, educational and health scenario in the state and suggests framing a long term policy. The road map has been submitted to the Governor, by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh.

General Rodrigues appreciated PAU efforts in making practical suggestions for sustainable development to give an impetus to state’s economy, increasing farmers’ incomes and stressed on “networking” among scientists of different states.

While Dr Aulakh unfolded 10 specific projects along with their financial outlays and techno-feasibility profiles for PAU-industry linkages for sustainable development, Dr Jai Rup Singh suggested establishment of a state board of college examinations for quality education at primary and higher levels and an education commission to promote research in the universities in the state. He favoured private participation in the health/agriculture sector.

Dr Aulakh informed General Rodrigues that PAU would act as an “incubation unit” to small-scale food processing entrepreneurs for “test-marketing” and “confidence building” before investing in their own units. PAU has successfully run a tractor on bio-diesel and Dr Aulakh has invited industry to establish at its campus “pilot plant” for bio-diesel production based on ‘jatropha’ plant. This plant was most suited for cultivation on wastelands and marginal land in the ‘kandi’ area. Bio-diesel will replace present diesel. PAU will identify suitable germplasm and technologies for production of bio-diesel. Another project proposed was to develop ethanol-producing sugarcane and maize varieties. Ethanol is a bio-fuel.

Enhancing the export of Basmati rice and Durum wheat was yet another potential industry-related area. With Basmati exports touching Rs 1,991 crore in 2003-04, PAU saw tremendous scope of increasing area under Basmati. Research had been initiated to preserve the aroma of Basmati, which was lost due to lodging of the crop and in post-harvest operations. PAU was working on lodging-tolerant varieties, post-harvest protocol and strengthening on going Basmati rice breeding.

PAU has also evolved three Durum wheat varieties. Increasing in area under it, would fetch better price for Punjab farmers, as Durum wheat was best suited to confectionary industry. Khanna area has potential for Durum cultivation.

Dr Aulakh saw potential in export of buffalo meat and meat processing for value addition. India tops the world with 92 million strong buffalo population. Buffalo meat accounts for 95 per cent of the total meat exports. Buffalo meat worth Rs 1,375 crore was exported in 2000-01.

Strengthening research on medicinal, aromatic and spice crops was another unexplored area waiting to be exploited. Industry dealing in cosmetics, perfumery, food and pharmaceuticals will stand to benefit from this sector.

Plan to boost “blue revolution” via Indus river system
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 28
Fisheries professionals have set their eyes on the Indus river system resources to give impetus to the “blue revolution” in the country.

In association with zoologists of the PAU, the Indian Society of Fisheries Professional, Mumbai, has observed that aquaculture, based on indigenous and judiciously selected exotic fish species available in the Indus river system, has the potential as much to tickle the palate as to fill pockets of fish farmers with cash.

Both the PAU and the society have identified left bank tributaries of the Indus for exploration and exploitation of the “blue” wealth. The tributaries are the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej with a combined length of 5,000 km. These rivers have been found to abound in as many as 85 species of fish.

According to Zoology Department head, Dr H.S. Sehgal, two major recommendations were made in the recently concluded two-day workshop at the PAU on conservation, management and development of indigenous fish fauna in the Indus river region. First it was unanimously decided to make use of this river resource to promote “high-value, low-volume” fish species like prawns, ornamental and catfish.

Second, the workshop stressed on the need to establish “viable mechanism” in the form of advanced centres of research in fisheries and aquaculture in the regional state universities with logistic support from national institutions and the ministry concerned.

Dr Sehgal also said that there was a scope for multi-liberal research programme to better understand aquaculture ecosystem of the Indus river region. This region can be oriented towards economic benefit of rural poor communities and environmentally concerned with the participation of the stake-holders.

It is believed that Maharana Pratap Sagar on the Beas at Pong and Gobindsagar on the Sutlej at Bhakra were two main reservoirs of fish. The existing vast net-work of canals in Punjab was, therefore, a veritable mine for fish production through captive fisheries.

CIPHET foundation day today
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 28
The Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology CIPHET (behind Radha Soami Satsang Ghar, Hambran Road, Ludhiana) is celebrating its foundation day on December 29. Dr Nawab Ali, Deputy Director-General (Engineering), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, will be the chief guest.

On this occasion an exhibition of equipment, laboratory instruments, processed products, newly developed technologies related to post- harvest technology is being held at the institute. Various departments of Punjab Agricultural University, Small Industries Service Institute, Ludhiana, and leading firms from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi are participating in the exhibition.

The exhibition will be of great interest to farmers, consumers and entrepreneurs who wish to start new enterprises in the area of post-harvest processing of agricultural commodities. Interested stake-holders can take part in the exhibition.

DEO agrees to fulfil teachers’ demands
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 28
The Nijikaran Virodhi Front stated in a press note that the District Education Officer , Primary, Ms Harvinder Kaur, today agreed to fulfil certain demands of teachers and declared January 18, 2006 to be the next date for taking up the pending demands of the teachers.

The DEO had failed to appear at a meeting with teachers on December 16.The teachers had carried out a protest rally and had asked the DEO to give them an invitation in written and meet them before December 27.

Mr Dhillon, Mr Rakba and Mr Charan Singh Sarabha, said the DEO said she regretted that she missed to attend the meeting. She said the promotion of Centre Head teachers would be carried on January 18, 2006; and certificates of students of Class V were sent to Block and Primary Education Officers.

The bills of renumeration of teachers present during examination duties were passed. She said two teachers of Jagraon were sent out of their blocks but she had nothing to do with it as it was the government’s decision. The 10 per cent gratuity of Block Primary Education teachers blocked till now would be released within a month.