As many as 43 students of Kalgidhar Academy Senior Secondary School, Sahnewal, Ludhiana, visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to gain technical knowledge about agricultural biotechnology and beekeeping. The students were accompanied by three teachers.
Dr Pawan Kumar Malhothra, an expert of School of Agricultural Biotechnology, explained the exemplary contributions made by Paddy Daddy Dr Gurdev Singh Khush to the Green Revolution through the development and recommendation of IR 8 and PR 106 rice varieties as well as the evolvement of more than 300 rice varieties being cultivated worldwide. Besides, he shared the intricacies of tissue culture and the use of biotechnological tools in the agricultural research. He coordinated the visits to Dr GS Khush Museum, agri-biotechnology and tissue culture laboratories at PAU.
Dr Preeti Sharma, also agri-biotechnology expert, acquainted the students with the greenhouse cultivation that was eco-friendly, but required expertise for the setting up of infrastructure and adoption of suitable agronomic practices.
Principal Entomologist Dr Jaspal Singh showed them the Apiary Unit where he talked about the rise of beekeeping as profitable enterprise alongwith agriculture. The spurt in demand for honey has led to wide scale adoption of beekeeping, he told the students who evinced interest in the display of bee boxes at Apiary Unit. Besides, he shared the historical facts, evolution and the rise of apiculture in Punjab with the youths, asking them to adopt and promote beekeeping among their families as well.
The Coordinator Mr Varinder Singh from Communication Centre, highlighted the glory of Punjab’s cultural heritage during the visit of students to the Museum of Rural Life of Punjab.
The programme was organised under the guidance of Dr TS Riar, Additional Director Communication, and Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head, Department of Extension Education.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=&intID=9682
