A delegation of esteemed experts from the World Bank recently visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana to review the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) and explore potential research collaborations. The delegation, led by Mr. Bekzod Shamsiev, Senior Agriculture Economist, and Dr. Gerry Boyle, a consultant for the World Bank, engaged in discussions hosted by PAU’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, in Chandigarh.
Dr. Gosal emphasized the challenges in kinnow and potato production, highlighting the need for improved processing facilities, value addition, and efficient supply chains to address crop surpluses.
The World Bank proposed the establishment of cold storage facilities at the farmer level, stressing the importance of connecting Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) with market intelligence experts to enhance production quality in Punjab. They suggested that leveraging Punjab’s export potential in agricultural produce, especially potatoes, could drive diversification, resource conservation, job creation, and income growth for farmers, benefiting both the agricultural sector and the overall economy.
