Punjab Agricultural University receives ‘Best AICRP on Wheat and Barley Centre’ award

NEW DELHI: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has received the Best All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Wheat and Barley Centre Award 2023 for their contributions in the field of agricultural research. The award was presented at the 62nd All India Wheat and Barley Research Worker's Meet, held from August 28 to August 30, 2023.

The meet was organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley, Karnal. This is the first time that ICAR has introduced the Best Centre Award exclusively for wheat and barley research in India.

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PAU's team has achieved major achievements in agricultural research over the last three years. According to PAU Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal, ten wheat varieties have been successfully created and released, five of which have received the seal of approval from the Central Variety Release Committee and five more from the State Variety Release Committee.

"These varieties were meticulously designed to cater to specific niches and emphasize high nutritional quality, with notable examples being PBW Zinc 2 and PBW RS 1. Additionally, they introduced the hulless barley variety PL 891, specially cultivated for food purposes", Gosal said.

Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of research congratulated the award recipients and informed that the team's efforts extended to germplasm screening against diseases, insect pests, and nematodes, and the development of production and protection technology.

Meanwhile, to Promote Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture, a delegation of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) visited the university to deliberate on crop residue management and explore mutually beneficial areas for future collaboration. Led by Jennifer Morris, Chief Executive Officer, USA, the delegation held parleys with Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU and deans, directors, additional directors and heads of various departments of the University. Mr Guru Koppa, Project Director, PRANA .