PAU trains 36 youth in agro-processing, value addition of farm products

NEW DELHI: The skill development centre of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) trained 36 persons during a five-day training course on ‘setting up of agribusiness’.

The training session for rural youth was held at Punjab Agricultural University campus in Ludhiana, Bathinda and Mansa. The training was held under the guidance of PAU extension education director MS Bhullar and sponsored by Ambuja Cement Foundation at Bathinda and Mansa.

PAU associate director (skill development) Rupinder Kaur said in light of the slow economic growth, it was important to suggest and open income-generating avenues for the farming community. Agribusiness involving setting up of agro-processing units as well as value addition was emerging fast as a source of monetary support and sustained growth, she added.

Course coordinator of the training session Prerna Kapilasaid the trainees were informed regarding food processing and engineering, business studies, plant breeding and genetics of various crops by experts. The training will help the farmers in drawing income from processed food products, she added.

PAU processing and food engineering department head Tarsem Chand added that the university has supported the establishment of more than 360 agro-processing complexes in the state. “These plants boosted the rural livelihood and were a ray of hope for youths who at present seemed to be disgruntled,” he said.

The farmers were also informed about the loan facilities being extended to farmers by representatives of Indian Bank. Sandhya Singh and Dr Rohit Sharma coordinated the visit of trainees to the agro-processing plants at Lakhowal and Jamalpur, Ludhiana.

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The trainees were also sensitised regarding the challenges being faced due to intensive cultivation of wheat-paddy in Punjab such as water, air and soil crises; weather fluctuations; waning interest of youth in agriculture; slip in income and others.