STRUGGLING TO MEET DEMAND, PAU SEEKS FARIDKOT SEED FARM’S LEASE EXTENSION

LUDHIANA : The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has sent an expression of interest to the legal custodian of 1200 acres of farm land falling in Faridkot district for extending its lease so that it can resume seed farming.

The 30-year lease of the land, belonging to erstwhile maharaja Harinder Singh Brar, ended two years ago. Ever since, the university has been struggling to refurbish its seed stock.

PAU has seed centres in Ladhowal (1200 acres), Naraingarh in Khanna (385 acres) and 495 acres of land in Nabha. “Besides PAU also has small chunks of land at various other places across the state from which it produces roughly 40,000 quintals (4,000 tonnes) of seed,” said Rajinder Singh, associate director of seed.

Confirming the development, PAU vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal said, “Seed sale is the main source of revenue for the university. For the past two years, we are not only suffering in terms of revenue, but are also failing to deliver high-quality seed to farmers to protect them from buying spurious seeds.”

Earlier, the university was offering ₹4,100 per acre of annual rent for the cultivation of land. While expressing interest, PAU has offered ₹7,500 per acre as annual rent.

Besides, the PAU has also sought the land of abandoned sugar mills, which are fit for cultivation and seed production, said Gosal.

“The land at Faridkot suits us as our research station is located close by,” said Gosal.