Retaining top spot and earning national as well as international recognition through the development of 13 crop varieties and their matching production-protection technologies and three new farm machines; featuring five scientists on Stanford University’s list; winning 10 Prime Minister fellowships; hosting of five state, national and international programmes; addressing of farmers’ woes and welcoming ofdelegations from across the globe have been the hallmark of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in 2024.

VIPs at PAU

• Hon'ble Governor of Punjab, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, presided as Chief Guest at the four-day International Conference on Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems, held at PAU from December 12- 15, 2024.
• With youth services as a priority for the State government, Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab, visited PAU on December 1 to celebrate the Punjab State Inter-Varsity Youth Festival. Besides, Sardar Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab; Sardar Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Minister for Tourism and Culture Affairs, Punjab; and Sardar Hardeep Singh Mundian, Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, also visited agri-varsity to give thumbs-up to the participating students of the State as well as the University level youth festivals. Sardar Khuddian also presided over the Kisan Melas in March and September.
• For the future advancement of the Kandi region of Punjab, Mr Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Deputy Speaker of Punjab, had an engaging discussion with the senior officials of PAU on August 23.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Emerged as number one among 75 agricultural universities of India for the second consecutive year and third in the agriculture and allied sector category in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 rankings.
• Awarded a five-year accreditation by the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board from 2024-2029. The University got an overall rank of 3.59 out of 4.00, securing the highest grade of A+ from the ICAR; its constituent colleges also received accreditation approval.
• Welcomed the allocation of Rs 40 crore in the capital budget, which was announced as a part of Punjab’s budget 2024-25 for fortifying research, teaching and extension programmes, specifically skill, entrepreneurship and infrastructure development.
• The PAU Centre of All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRP) on Forage Crops bagged the “Best AICRP Forage Crops Centre Award 2024” for its remarkable contributions to the development of fodder varieties and innovative production-protection techniques.
• The PAU was adjudged as the best among 45 AICRP Centres specializing in rice across India; it secured two key awards – “Best AICRP Centre (Rice Agronomy)” and “Best AICRP Centre (Overall).”
• The AICRP on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (PHET) clinched the two "Best Centre Awards” for two consecutive years 2023-24 and 2024-25.
• The Ludhiana Chapter of Nutrition Society of India, embedded in the Department of Food and Nutrition, received the “Best Chapter Award 2024” for the third consecutive year for its outstanding contributions to advancing nutritional awareness.
• The Punjab Agri Business Incubator (PABI) at PAU received international recognition from a Dutch expert Antonius van Kampen, PUM Expert (Incubation Sector) representing PUM Netherlands, an organization dedicated to providing expert guidance to entrepreneurs in developing nations.

RESEARCH

Research at PAU continues to redefine agricultural innovation and achieve global recognition.

Crop varieties

• The University developed and recommended 13 crop varieties in 2024. These included PAU Biscuit 1 (wheat), Pusa Basmati 1847(basmati), J 1008 (fodder maize), PCB 167 (fodder), Punjab Cheena1 (proso millet), OL 17 (oats), PGSH 2155 (canola type gobhisarson), PHR 127 (raya), PBHL 56 (brinjal), Punjab Mithas (watermelon), Punjab Amrit (muskmelon), and KonkanBahadoli and GomaPriyanka (Jamun).
• A PAU-developed variety of round melon, Punjab Tinda 1, was released at the national level for cultivation in zone IV.
• French bean Varieties, FBK 1 and FBK 2, and Mid-Season Cauliflower variety, PGAC 2517.

Agricultural technologies

• To effectively manage paddy straw, PAU developed a new technology: MittarSeeder, a low-cost, low-energy alternative to Super Seeder, for farmers who preferred soil incorporation of paddy straw.
• Research on solar-powered air heater and technology for silica extraction from paddy straw.
• Two machines, namely, Remotely Controlled Paddy Transplanter and Biomass Incorporator, developed by the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, were alsorecommended by the University.
• The University earned a rare distinction with the development of ‘Surface Seeder’ technology that was highly commended by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab.
• A team of four scientists, namely Dr Manpreet Kaur Saini, Dr MS Alam, Dr Surekha Bhatia and Dr Anjali Sidhu from the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, developed a “PAU Protection Kit for Stored Pulses.”
• For the management of Foot Rot or Bakane disease in basmati rice, the University reached a significant milestone by registering the biocontrol agent Trichoderma asperellum 2% WP with the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC).
• Technology for Anthurium cultivation and Sapota propagation standardization.

Research projects (prominent ones)

• In a major international breakthrough, the University released a cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) resistant genetic stock, PAU Armour 1, which marks a significant milestone in cotton breeding. The CLCuV resistance trait has long eluded cotton breeders worldwide, and this advancement is expected to transform cotton cultivation practices.
• Additionally, PAU registered the biocontrol agent Trichoderma asperellum 2% WP with the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC). This development will help manage Foot Rot or Bakane disease in Basmati rice while reducing the chemical footprint of its cultivation, promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
• A research project entitled “Wheat with enhanced resistant starch: A nutraceutical approach to better health” worth INR 46.08 lakh was awarded to a team of scientists from the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and the School of Agricultural Biotechnology (SAB).
• The SAB was also awarded a three-year research project, “Enriching the rust resistance of wheat by mapping the novel leaf rust and stripe rust resistance from multiple wild progenitor and non-progenitor species”, by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi.
• The University earned two prestigious awards at the 59th Annual Group Meeting of the AICRP on Rice, held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, from April 24 to 26, 2024.
• The Department of Food and Nutrition was awarded two research projects by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, as part of a special call for collaborative research projects on Vision Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) sanctioned a project to the Regional Research Station (RRS), Faridkot, and PAU, Ludhiana, to popularize dragon fruit in the district of Faridkot.
• The Department of Processing and Food Engineering got four competitive projects in advanced areas with a total outlay of approximately 1.25 crore, sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Punjab Government under Mission Tandrust. Besides, this department has also been designated as State Level Technical Institute for providing technical support for the establishment and up-gradation of micro-scale food processing industry in Punjab with a budget of Rs 306 crore (2020- 2026) under the Central Scheme named “Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises.”
• In a significant move towards advancing agricultural research and innovation, a delegation from Punjab, led by Sh. KAP Sinha (IAS), Special Chief Secretary Punjab, and Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasito explore potential collaborations in developing new research facilities, capacity building, and joint research projects.

Patent granted

• Three microbiologists - Dr Parampal Sahota, Ms Deepali Luthra, and Dr Bhavish Sood – were granted Indian patent number 508659 titled “Bacteriological Food Testing Kit (BFTK) for rapid and efficient detection of presence/absence of recurrent indicator and emerging pathogens in a food sample.”
• Three food technologists, Dr Amarjeet Kaur (retd.), Dr Poonam Aggarwal Sachdev and Dr Akanksha Pahwa were granted patents on “Gluten-free whole grain flour composition and food products”.
• Two agricultural engineering experts, Dr Ritu Dogra and Dr Baldev Dogra, were granted a patent for a “Conveyor Belt Type Mechanical Feeding System for Axial Flow (Paddy) Thresher.”
• Biomass Incorporator was also patented in January 2024.

Copyrights granted

• Three faculty members from the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (COAET)- Er Sarvesh Kumar, Dr Rohit Sharma, and Dr Chetan Singla - were granted Indian copyright number 21261/2022-CO/SW titled “Material estimator for a brick wall.”

FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Dr Parveen Chhuneja, a distinguished scientist at PAU, scripted history by becoming the first woman from the University to be awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
• Dr Hari Ram, Head of the Department of Agronomy, was honoured with the "Prof Manjeet S. Chinnan Distinguished Professor Chair Award" by the PAU for a period of four years.
• Dr Satinder Kaur, Senior Molecular Geneticist, SAB, was conferred with the prestigious “Dr SK Vasal Award” by the Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources for the efficient use of plant genetic resources (PGR).
• Dr VP Sethi, Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, bagged the “ISTE Best Teacher Award 2024”from the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), India's largest technical education body.
• Five PAU scientists, Dr MS Aulakh, Dr DK Benbi, Dr SS Guraya, Dr VP Sethi, and Dr SS Dhaliwal, were among the top 2 per cent of the world’s best scientists on Stanford University’s prestigious list in 2024.
• Dr Yogita Sharma, University Librarian, Mohinder Singh Randhawa Library, PAU, was awarded the “Best Librarian Award for 2024” by India's Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists.
• Additionally, several faculty members were awarded fellowships by noted scientific organizations.

ACCOLADES WON BY STUDENTS

• A total of 10 students bagged Prime Minister fellowships for doctoral research in 2024, thus etching a history and creating a national record. Students, namely, Aman Kumar, Ayush Gupta, Harvir Singh, Pardeep Beniwal, Rajwinder Kaur, Rashmita Saikia, Rutuparna Pati, Saatu Madhu, Shivani Upadhyay andRajwinder Kaur brought laurels to the University by bagging the PM fellowships.
• Armaanjot Singh, who recently passed out from PAU after pursuing B. Tech.in Agricultural Engineering, received the “Student of the Year Award.”
• Riya Bansal, a student of the Department of Microbiology, bagged the “Young Microbiologist Award” for her outstanding contributions to the field of microbiology.
• Besides, many students bagged the Best Thesis Awards, Best Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation Awards at national and international conferences and prizes in youth-centric activities.
• Seven students of Agricultural Engineering qualified for the prestigious Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2024 with good All India Ranks (AIRs). Tarun Singla got seventh rank nationwide with a GATE score of 872. Besides, Vasudev Kumawat, Khushi Dhiman, Rajwinder Singh, Saurabh Bassi and Vivek Kumar qualified for the GATE exam with AIRs of 73, 78, 120, 182 and 189, respectively. Akash Singh, a third-year B.Tech. student also qualified for the exam.
• The students of PAU won nine prizes during the 37th Inter-University North Zone Youth Festival, hosted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) at the Punjabi University, Patiala, under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India. The University secured second position in debate and elocution; third prize in rangoli; fourth spot in the quiz, mime, poster making, and mehndi; and fifth position in group song (Western) and collage-making events. Additionally, the University clinched the overall runners-up trophy in the literary category.
• The COAETian Innovators, a team of 25 students, clinched the top position in the National Level Competition—TIFAN 2024, thus continuing its winning streak, which started with AIR-1 last year. The team, comprising Sparsh, Karan, Ishrat, Vasudev, Sunil Kumar, Sumit Raj, Riyanshi, Yaksha, and the rest of the teammates, made this vision a reality.

ADMISSIONS

• In addition, undergraduate admissions saw a significant surge this year, with the university receiving 5,446 applications for various academic programs during the 2024-25 session, surpassing its previous high of 5,173 applications recorded in 2019. This remarkable rise reflects PAU's academic offerings' growing popularity and credibility among aspiring students.

TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

• Two eminent agricultural scientists, namely Dr Ashok Kumar, former Dean of the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, and Dr Devinder Singh Cheema, former Dean of the College of Agriculture, PAU, wereappointed as non-official members of the PAU’s Board of Management for three years.

MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING (MoUs) AND AGREEMENT (MoAs)

• A grant of Rs 1.25 crore was given by Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. According to the MoU, the funds will be used to develop a ‘Digital Technology Park’ at the university, focusing on advancing agricultural practices through cutting-edge technologies.
• The Punjab Agricultural University signedan MoU with the Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Chennai, to establish the PAU-TAFE Learning Centre (Advance Farm Machinery) at the University.
• In a landmark move to foster interdisciplinary research and educational collaboration, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), both based in Ludhiana, signed an MoU for integrating agricultural and medical sciences to tackle pressing health and nutrition issues.
• In a landmark move fostering agricultural innovation and propelling agricultural entrepreneurship, the Punjab Agribusiness Incubator (PABI) atPAU inked MoAs with 24 pioneering startups.
• Several MoAs were inked with Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha,Punjab, and Telangana-based firms for the commercial seed production of maize hybridsPMH 12 and PMH 14 as well as dual type oat variety OL 16 and commercialization of sugarcane juice bottling technology; wadian making technique; value addition of millets; Hybrid Hydroponics technology with improved water and nutrient perforation and re-circulation system; and Surface Seeder technology.
• The Department of Renewable Energy Engineering signed a total of 48 MoAs, including 11Paddy Straw Based Biogas Plant made up of Mild Steel (MS) Sheet (above the ground), 21 Modified PAU fixed Dome Type Janta Model Biogas Plant, 10 PAU fixed Dome Type Family Size Biogas Plant and four of solar dryer.

NEW INITIATIVES/COURSES

• The University established AccelBreed, a cutting-edge speed breeding research facility and a beacon of hope for agricultural diversification in Punjab. The state’s Minister of Finance, Planning, Programme Implementation, Excise and Taxation, Sardar Harpal Singh Cheema, unveiled the inscribed stone. The game-changer facility has already exhibited considerable promise in fast-forwarding wheat, rice, brassica, pea and pigeon pea crop improvement. Gradually, it may bring other essential crops like potato and sugarcane into its fold, thus emerging as an important enabler of crop diversification in the state.
• Approval for the Remote Drone Pilot Training Facility (RPTODrone Technology under the public sector in Punjab) under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
• NABL accreditation for the submersible pump testing centre.
• Final contouring phase for the Technology Park to showcase smart farming solutions.
• Proposal for the Spectroscopy and Geospatial laboratories in collaboration with ISARC of IRRI.
• Transformational applications of these technologies for agriculture (digital soil mapping, crop yield prediction, AI-powered advisories, etc.)
• Approval for establishingthe School of Digital Innovations for Smart Agriculture (S-Disa) in the COAET. Two academic programmes, including a PG Diploma in Robotics and Mechatronics for Agriculture as well as a Master of Technology in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Agriculture, were approved by the Academic Council.
• The Fashion Designing (Hons.) degree programme was restarted for budding designers in the session 2024-2025.

INFRASTRUCTURE REVITALIZATION AT PAU

• The PAU campus has undergone significant aesthetic and infrastructural transformations in 2024, reflecting a departure from architectural and landscape inertia.
• The newly widened avenue leading from PAU Gate No. 1 to the College of Agriculture, now renamed Diamond Jubilee Road, along with the re-laid verdant lawns and a transformed façade of the PAU market, harkens back to the grandeur of earlier leadership under Drs. PN Thapar and MS Randhawa. These enhancements provide functional utility and reinforce the university’s historic prestige, offering an inspiring environment for students and visitors.
• The upgrade of Sutton House has further enhanced the campus's charm by preserving its heritage essence while equipping it with modern amenities, thereby maintaining a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
• Establishment of Mia Waki Garden and Spring Garden to regenerate greenery on campus and boost aesthetics.

FORGING GLOBAL ALLIANCES: PAU's INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS

• In a landmark initiative to foster international collaboration in research, extension, and teaching, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, led a delegation of four key officials to the United States to engage with leading agricultural research institutions and the Punjabi diaspora. At Ohio State University (OSU), Columbus, the team interacted with Dr Rattan Lal, World Food Prize Laureate and a distinguished PAU alumnus, gaining insights into soil health management and carbon farming. The Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs, Dr Kaya Sahin, highlighted opportunities for trilateral partnerships between the US, India, and other nations to enhance faculty and scholarly exchanges. Dr Gosal was accompanied by Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr MIS Gill, Dean of Post Graduate Studies; Dr MS Makkar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology; and Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institution Relations).
• At Kansas State University (KSU), Manhattan, the team observed the integration of artificial intelligence, sensors, and robotics into agricultural operations, exploring potential applications for wheat production in Punjab. This strategic alignment reflects the shared wheat production identity of the two regions. The delegation's visit also garnered considerable embassy-level attention, paving the way for new international partnerships.
• The PAU delegation’s visit to California State University, Fresno, provided insights into advanced horticultural and agronomic practices. The team visited almond and raisin fields and processing units to witness innovative crop production methods, such as mechanization, drip irrigation, water conservation technologies, and food processing technologies. They also interacted with the KSU leadership, including Dr Xuanning Fu, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean Scott Moore. World Food Prize Laureate Dr Gurdev Singh Khush also supported the PAU team in the deliberations held between PAU and CSU, Fresno.
• In Washington D.C., the PAU team held discussions with key coordinators, including Ms Gayatri Acharya, Practice Manager, Agriculture and Food Practice Group, South Asia Sustainable Development, the World Bank; Dr Manjit Misra, Director, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA); Dr Krystal Krejcik, Acting Senior Advisor for Asia-Pacific and Europe Programme, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Dr Sukwinder Singh, Research Leader, USDA-ARS-Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Miami. These meetings explored collaborative opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture, soil and water management, artificial intelligence in agriculture, and data analytics. The EPA also emphasized strategies for addressing soil lead contamination. A special interaction meeting organized by Dr Ajay Kumar, Minister (Commerce) Embassy of India, Washington DC, facilitated further dialogue with representatives from various sectors, reinforcing the importance of education, science, technology, and knowledge sharing.
• The visit marked a significant step forward for Punjab Agricultural University, opening new doors for international collaboration, cutting-edge research, and technological innovation. These partnerships are expected to benefit significantly PAU’s academic and research endeavours, ultimately enhancing agricultural sustainability in Punjab and contributing to the state’s economic growth.Additionally, the visit became a two-way engagement as agripreneurs of Punjabi origin expressed a keen interest in participating in the biannual PAU Kisan Melas. PAU has pre-announced the March Mela schedule to facilitate their involvement, ensuring overseas farmers can plan their itineraries well in advance. This forward-thinking approach underscores the University's commitment to strengthening ties with the global agricultural community.
• Delegates from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Philippines, The Netherlands, the USA, etc. visited PAU to deliver talks as well as explore the possibilities of cooperation for the exchange of faculty-students and joint research as well as teaching.

EXTENSION

• The Directorate of Extension Education bagged a project from the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, to uplift the SC community.
• Promoting natural resource conservation and adopting subsidiary occupations, the University organized 14 Kisan Melas across Punjab. Farmers thronged these melas in large numbers to see the stalls of live field demonstrations and discuss their issues during the technical question-answer sessions. Besides, they bought improved seed of kharif and rabi crops, quality planting material, biofertilizers, and farm literatureand learnt about newly developed crop varieties and agri-technologies.
• Several delegations of state, national and international-based farmers and entrepreneurs from Bihar, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Rajasthan, etc. fromIndia, aswell as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, etc. from abroad visited PAU to attend skill-based trainings, promote agricultural entrepreneurship and discuss the scope of joint ventures.
• A total of 84000 students from across the country visited the PAU Museum of Social Life and Rural History, signifying its popularity as a learning hub that connects generations through tradition and culture.
• Regular agro-advisories were issued, and field visits were conducted to alert the farmers regarding the management of various insect pests and diseases such as pink bollworm in cotton, fall armyworm in maize, yellow rust in wheat, etc., and paddy residue.

PLACEMENT CELL

• The University Guidance and Placement Cell of PAU and the Training Unit of COAET trained several students, enabling them to secure jobs in multi-national companies such as John Deere, Escorts, Amul India, TAFE Ltd., Trident Group, Goodricke Group, International Tractors, etc.

STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AND YOUTH FESTIVALS

• Celebrated unity in diversity by organising the 37th Inter-University National Youth Festival from March 29 to April 2, in which about 2,500 students from 118 universitiesacross India participated.
• Organized a three-day National Conference on Maize titled “A Crop for Food, Feed, Nutritional and Bioenergy Security with Environmental Sustainability” from August 23-25.
• Organized a national conference on “Crop Diversification and Climate Change Issues” on November 9.
• Hosted an international conference on "Transforming Agrifood Systems in the Face of Climate Changes and Energy Transitions" from November 12-15.
• Organized Punjab State Inter-Varsity Youth Festival in association with the Directorate of Youth Services, Punjab, from November 29 to December 2; nearly 2,000 students from 17 Punjab-based universities participated in the festival.

The PAU VC extends his heartfelt gratitude to the University faculty, staff, and non-teaching staff, as well as the alumni and Punjab farmers, for enabling the agri-varsity to usher in new strides and move from glory to glory. “Continue with your dedicated efforts and keep the flag of PAU in high esteem,” he said to all. Dr Gosal wishes all success and prosperity in the upcoming year 2025.