PAMETI opens packaging centre for horticulture produce

The Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI) witnessed a landmark occasion with the inauguration of the Small-Scale Packaging Centre for Horticulture Produce, designed especially for the benefit of small and marginal farmers.

The event also marked the celebration of PAMETI’s 25th silver jubilee, commemorating its dedicated service to capacity building and agricultural development in the state.

The dual ceremonies were inaugurated by Arshdeep Singh Thind, Administrative Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, who appreciated the institute’s continuous efforts in promoting modern agricultural practices and strengthening extension services across the state. He noted that the newly established packaging centre would help farmers reduce post-harvest losses and enhance market value through improved packaging and value addition.

Dr KB Singh, Director, PAMETI, elaborated on various ongoing schemes and training programmes being run by PAMETI to uplift the farming community and improve extension management in the state. He expressed pride in the institute’s 25-year journey and its growing contributions to agricultural innovation.

The ceremony was also attended by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal who praised the initiative and stated that the centre would emerge as a true agribusiness support hub for farmers.

Dr Jaswant Singh, Director, Agriculture, Punjab, also appreciated PAMETI’s consistent efforts in introducing farmer-friendly technologies and capacity-building programmes.

A major highlight of the event was the demonstration of the newly established packaging centre, led by Dr Ravneet Singh, Deputy Director (PHT), and project in-charge. He explained the functioning of various machines installed at the centre, including vacuum packaging machine, form-fill-seal packaging machine, onion peeling machine, garlic peeling machine, shrink wrapping machine with L-type sealer, pulveriser, cup sealer, tray wrapper, hand sealers, etc.