PAU, South Sudan university eye agri collaboration

Dr Abraham Matoc Dhal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology (DrJGMUST), South Sudan, visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, as a part of his academic tour to India under the ICCR’s Academic Visitors Programme. The visit laid the groundwork for agricultural ties between India and South Sudan, as discussions focused on potential joint ventures in research, technology and education.

Briefing the guest, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal shared the PAU’s emphasis on transitioning Punjab’s farming from a grain-centric approach to diversified agribusiness models. He detailed how the integrated farming system developed at the PAU blended crops with livestock, aquaculture, agroforestry and horticulture to enhance income, nutrition and employment. The university’s innovative surface seeding technology and research on root traits, heat tolerance, and photosynthetic efficiency in wheat were presented as examples of eco-smart innovation.

During the interaction, Dr Dhal outlined the agricultural landscape of South Sudan. With over half its territory classified as prime farmland and abundant water resources, including the White Nile and vast swamplands, the country holds significant promise for sustainable agricultural growth. Its diverse agro-ecological zones support a wide range of crops from finger millet and sorghum to oilseeds, pulses and cash crops like coffee and sugarcane. Agriculture contributes around 23 per cent to South Sudan’s GDP, making it a core sector for economic revival.

The South Sudanese Vice-Chancellor expressed keen interest in leveraging the PAU’s expertise for capacity-building, technology transfer and research tie-ups. He underlined the role of DrJGMUST, which comprises colleges like agriculture, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences and computer science, as a key driver of science-led development in his country.

Earlier, while welcoming the visitor, Registrar Dr Rishi Pal Singh noted that while Punjab and South Sudan were geographically distant, their agricultural challenges such as climate variability and the need for skilled manpower were strikingly similar. He underlined the PAU’s philosophy of ‘knowledge without borders,’ stressing that agricultural partnerships should grow organically in mutually acceptable domains.

Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, offered a comprehensive overview of the university’s scientific footprint. From water-saving methods and integrated nutrient management to genome editing and nano-fertilisers, PAU’s research portfolio has consistently aligned with the evolving needs of Indian agriculture. He also showcased specialty crop varieties like the high-zinc wheat PBW1 Zn, early-maturing PBW 826 and resistant starch-rich PAU RS-1, in addition to advances in rice, cotton, sugarcane and maize breeding.