The PAU is a pioneer state agricultural university (SAU) in India for research, education and extension in India. The university has played a pivotal role in making the country self-sufficient in food grain production and is known as “Mother of Green Revolution”.

Punjab, with 1.53% geographical area, contributes about 60% wheat and 45% rice to the central food grain kitty. This is the result of path-breaking research at PAU backed by world-class teaching and extension services provided at the door-step of the farmers.

• The university has recommended 809 varieties/hybrids of different crops out of which 173 have been released at national level.
• PAU produced the first hybrid grain pearl millet in the world.
• PAU has developed first Bt cotton variety, PAU Bt 1 in India. It has been released by ICAR for cultivation in Punjab and Haryana.
• PAU has developed less seeded PAU kinnow 1. It has 3-4 seeds per fruit as compared to 18-20 seeds in conventional kinnow fruit.
• Presently about 95% area under wheat and 60% area under rice in the state is under improved varieties recommended by PAU. The PAU varieties have been popular in many other states of the country as well.
• The PAU is leader in conservation agriculture as it recommended conservation tillage way back in late 80s. The direct-drilling of wheat in combine-harvested rice residues by PAU Happy Seeder is a classic example of conservation agriculture in the country.
• The university is pioneer in apiculture leading the state to produce 14.1 % honey of the country. It is pioneer in successful introduction, establishment and development of Italian honey bee (Apis mellifera) in India during 1962 to 1964
• The PAU is leader in farm mechanization and has facilitated the state as a ‘Farm Machinery Hub’ for the other states as well.
• The university research scientists have made possible the crop cultivation in non-conventional seasons (moong, maize, sugarcane, groundnut, mash).

 Recognitions

PAU is a world-renowned university with active collaborations with CGIAR institutes (CIMMYT, IRRI, ICRISAT, ICARDA, CIAT), AVRDC, University of Wisconsin, WSU, Pullman; OSU, Columbus; KSU, Manhattan; Purdue University, USA; Olds College, Alberta, Canada; University of Western Australia, ACIAR, Australia.

• Based on its contributions, PAU was declared as Best state agricultural university in 1995 by ICAR. First SAU to receive this Award
• The ICAR has set up five centers of Advanced Studies at PAU (of these 3 are now in GADVASU).
• PAU was the first university to get special grant of ` 100 crores by the Central Government in 2006-07 for Basic and Strategic Research in Agriculture and as an acknowledgement of its role in eliminating food shortages and alleviating hunger: First University to receive as high as ` 100 crore Grant
• First International Potash Institute (Switzerland) and Fertilizer Association of India (IPI-FAI) Award for transfer of technology in balanced use of fertilizer in 2010
• First Agricultural University of the Year Award (Krishi Shiksha Samman) by Mahindra & Mahindra in 2011
• Agriculture Leadership Award by Agriculture Today Group in 2015
• PAU got ISO 9001: 2008 Certification.
• Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding performance in Maize Research and Development? during 1957-2015
• Certificate for Best Performance in Breeder seed Production of maize during 1995-2015

 Salient Achievements

1. First Agricultural University of the Year Award (Krishi Shiksha Samman) by Mahindra & Mahindra in 2011
2. PAU was the first university to get a special grant of  100 crores by the Central Government in 2006-07 for Basic and Strategic Research in Agriculture and as an acknowledgement of its role in eliminating food shortages and alleviating hunger: First University to receive as high as ` 100 crore Grant
3. Based on its contributions, PAU was declared as Best state agricultural university in 1995 by ICAR. First SAU to receive this Award
4. Agriculture Leadership Award by Agriculture Today Group in 2015
5. Certificate of Best state agricultural university in 1995 by ICAR. First SAU to receive this Award.
6. Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding performance in Maize Research and Development during 1957-2015.
7. Ranked 1^stfor development of Landmark Varieties by Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding in 2017.
8. Ranked 3^rdamong all Agricultural Institutions/Universities by ICAR in 2017.
9. Ranked 40^thamong all Agricultural Institutions by MHRD (NIRF) in 2017 (Trophy and certificate image).
10. Certificate for Best Performance in Breeder seed Production of maize during 1995-2015