Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has received the first installment of Rs 20 crore as part of the Rs 40 crore grant-in-aid allocated by the Government of Punjab for the creation of capital assets. This grant, a first of its kind by the state government for a university, was announced in the 2024-25 budget of Punjab, recognising PAU’s critical role in advancing agriculture and rural development. The funds are designated specifically for creating capital assets which would fortify its research, teaching and extension (RTE) programmes for a stronger future in agricultural innovation.
Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, thanked Punjab Government for the landmark allocation. He commended Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema for acknowledging PAU’s contributions to the agricultural sector. “This grant underscores the government’s commitment to education and the welfare of the farming community, and it comes at a time when PAU has rendered more than six decades of dedicated service to the state and the nation,” remarked Dr Gosal. He added that this financial support will serve as a major catalyst for PAU’s infrastructure development, propelling the university’s RTE programmes to new heights.
Dr Gosal outlined that the Rs 20 crore will be strategically used to upgrade various facilities across the university. These include improvements to student amenities, research infrastructure, hostels, guest-houses, residential facilities and the modernisation of library, auditorium and committee rooms. Plans are also in place to expand high-speed fibre-optic internet services, undertake key civil and electrical works, and establish an agro-processing centre and gene bank. Additionally, state-of-the-art research equipment will be procured for the School of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, focusing on emerging technologies critical for the future of farming.
These initiatives are expected to significantly enhance PAU’s ability to develop climate-resilient, bio-fortified and trait-specific crop varieties, contributing to a sustainable agricultural revolution. Dr Gosal assured that the university remains committed to maintaining its high standards of research and education, reiterating PAU’s mission to continue serving the farming community with dedication and innovation in the years to come.