PAU begins drive to provide better seed varieties to flood-hit farmers

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has launched a major initiative to assist farmers affected by floods across Punjab by distributing improved varieties of wheat and mustard seeds.

The drive, led by PAU vice-chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, began at village Bariar in district Gurdaspur from November 1.

Dr Gosal, joined by the Director of Research, Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Extension Education, Dr MS Bhullar, and teams from PAU’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Farm Advisory Service Centres (FASCs) and Regional Stations, flagged off the initiative.

Addressing the farmers, he announced that 725 quintal seeds of improved wheat varieties (PBW 826, PBW 725, PBW 869, PBW 766, PBW 677, PBW 824 and PBW Zinc 2) and five quintal seeds of canola gobhi sarson (GSC-7) would be distributed in seven flood-affected districts, including Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Patiala.

Dr Gosal said the university’s faculty and staff voluntarily contributed funds from their salaries to support this relief effort. The goal, he added, is to help farmers multiply and conserve seeds of PAU-recommended varieties for future sowing, ensuring long-term self-reliance and sustainability. He also expressed concern about the impact of floods on soil structure and fertility.

At village Bariar, 160 quintal of wheat and canola seeds were distributed to farmers of Gurdaspur district. Bariar is one of the villages adopted by the Young Innovative Farmers (YIF) group and facilitated by PAU-KVK and PAU-FASC, Gurdaspur. A similar distribution event was held at PAU-KVK Amritsar (Nag Kalan-Jahangir), where another 160 quintals of wheat seed was provided to the farmers.

Farmers from both districts expressed gratitude to PAU for the timely support, saying the high-quality seed has rekindled hope and will help them restart cultivation. The coordinated effort by PAU’s KVKs, FASCs and Regional Stations reflects the university’s continued commitment to the farming community and its welfare.