The Fact News Service
Ludhiana, March 27
Acknowledging the transformative contributions of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in advancing agricultural research and rural development, the Government of Punjab has earmarked a substantial capital grant of Rs 40 crore in its 2025-26 budget for the second consecutive year.
This funding infusion is specifically designated for the development of critical infrastructure at PAU, thereby reinforcing its Research, Teaching, and Extension (RTE) programs.This allocation marks a significant commitment by the government towards advancing agricultural education and innovation in the state.
Thanking the government for the allocation, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, commended its dedication to education and the welfare of farmers.
He expressed heartfelt appreciation to Punjab Chief Minister, Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, and Finance Minister, Sardar Harpal Singh Cheema, for prioritizing the university’s infrastructural needs.
Dr. Gosal affirmed that with over six decades of pioneering contributions, PAU will leverage this grant to modernize and upgrade essential facilities, ensuring a more conducive learning and living environment for its students, faculty, and stakeholders. Dr. Gosal elaborated that the Rs 40 crore grant will be strategically deployed to bolster key infrastructural components across the university.
A substantial share of the funds will be dedicated to expanding roads, laying tubewell water and sewerage lines, and constructing new hostels, classrooms, laboratories, and washrooms.
The allocation will also facilitate the refurbishment of residential complexes, guest houses, hostels, the university hospital, auditoria, and office spaces, along with crucial upgrades in electrical systems, elevator installations, CCTV surveillance, and other vital enhancements.
The infrastructure of the newly established School of Digital Innovations for Smart Agriculture (S-DISA) will be fortified with cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Geospatial Intelligence and Spectroscopy to modernize agricultural education.
The Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Agriculture will also undergo infrastructural enhancements, creating specialized clusters for knowledge dissemination and hands-on training in resource-efficient farming.
Key facilities such as the High Throughput Genomics and Phenomics Facility, PAU Gene Bank, Aquifer Monitoring and Water Management Facility, Bio and Renewable Energy Centre, Climate Smart Cropping System Centre, Advanced Packaging and Quality Assessment Facility, Fortified and Nutraceutical Products Development Centre, Market Intelligence Cell, Agri-Business Incubation Hub, and expanded outreach services will further support these initiatives.
The grant will also be channeled into invigorating the educational ecosystem by upgrading classrooms and laboratory facilities, equipping them with state-of-the-art tools to enhance experiential learning.
These developments will significantly enrich the academic experience, nurture skilled professionals and greatly augment the university’s capacity to address contemporary agricultural challenges, driving a transformative shift towards sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Gosal reiterated PAU’s commitment to upholding its high standards of research and education while continuing to serve the farming community with forward-thinking solutions.
This strategic investment reaffirms PAU’s role as a cornerstone of agricultural transformation and sustainability, ensuring its continued impact for posterity.
