Aussie envoy stresses on deepening ties in agri sector

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 20

Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu stressed on deepening ties between India and Australia in agriculture sector, during her visit to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today.

Interacting with PAU VC Baldev Singh Dhillon and other senior officials of the university, Sidhu said, “Australia and India have a connection in agriculture as both are agricultural countries.” Agriculture in Australia was a significant part of the economy, she said, while calling for building and enhancing ties in the areas of crop production and water management. Sidhu was accompanied by a three-member Australian delegation, comprising Dr Nora Galway, Vanessa Voss and Dr Kuhu Chatterjee.

Welcoming the Oz envoy to the PAU, Dr Dhillon highlighted the accomplishments of the university at the national and international level. Discussing the mutual areas, he said India and Australia could jointly venture in agricultural biotechnology and farm mechanisation.

Dr Navtej Bains, Director of Research, while giving a brief introduction of the PAU, said the university was a mother of Green Revolution, leader in conservation agriculture and farm mechanisation, and pioneer in apiculture and cattle breeding. He also traced the history of the use of Indian wheat in Australian wheat-breeding programme in 1896, eminent scientists who received PhD fellowships under the Colombo Plan, and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) projects at the PAU.

Dr JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, while referring to ACIAR projects on Happy Seeder, said all research farms and Krishi Vigyan Kendras plant wheat after rice with Happy Seeder. He also showed the working of modified PAU Happy Seeder (with press wheels) during the presentation on straw management.

On the occasion, PAU scientists, who have been to Australia as a part of collaborative projects and to attend the trainings, shared their experiences with the delegation.

The delegation also emphasised on cooperation in the field of transfer of technology to benefit farmers. Later, Dr Dhillon presented a memento and traditional phulkari to the Oz envoy.