Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC): Pivotal Operational Arm of the Directorate

The Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC), located at Gate No. 1 of PAU for convenient farmer access, functions both as a frontline service centre and a central coordinating unit under the Directorate of Extension Education. Established as a “Single Window Delivery System,” ATIC caters to a wide range of agricultural needs while also playing a vital role in planning, monitoring, and facilitating university-wide extension activities. Its integrated approach ensures the seamless delivery of field-level services alongside the coordination of institutional programmes, meetings, and outreach events across departments, KVKs, and research stations.

1. Central Coordinating Hub for Extension Activities: ATIC serves as a pivotal operational arm of the Directorate of Extension Education by coordinating a wide range of institutional and inter-departmental extension initiatives. It plays a lead role in organizing Monthly Progress Meetings, Research and Extension Specialists’ Workshops, Extension Council Meetings, Kisan Committee Meetings, PAU Vegetable and Fruit Growers Committee Meetings, involving participation of research and extension specialists from PAU, KVKs, FASCs, and RRSs across Punjab. In addition, ATIC facilitates major outreach events like Kisan Melas (Farmers’ Fairs) and is actively involved in compiling reports, proceedings, action-taken documents and providing editorial support for PAU’s extension journals and publications. Through this integrative role, ATIC functions as a central mechanism for aligning research dissemination, field-level feedback, and coordinated extension planning across the university.
2. Plant Clinic: One-Stop Solution: Popularly known as ‘Paudeya da Hasptal,’ this clinic helps farmers address issues like nutrient deficiencies, weeds, pests, and diseases. Experts provide precise diagnoses and specific solutions to prevent crop losses and improve farming practices. Each year, over 10,000 farmers benefit from free, on-the-spot assistance.
3. Seeds of PAU Varieties and Bio-Fertilizers: ATIC’s Seed Shop provides high-yielding crop seeds (Suddre Beej), bio-fertilizers, and vegetable kits at nominal rates. Bio-fertilizers are available for a wide range of crops, including wheat, maize, sugarcane, onion, potato, lentil, gram, summer moong, mash, peas, raya sarson, berseem, lucern, turmeric, soybean, and arhar, and can be used for seed treatment, nursery treatment, or soil application based on specific recommendations
4. Farm Literature & Other Products: There is a dedicated sales counter that offers agricultural literature, including crop calendars, packages of practices, other key publications, and souvenirs. Farmers can also subscribe to PAU’s monthly magazines, Changi Kheti (Punjabi) and Progressive Farming (English). However, PAU literature is also available at KVKs and FASCs across Punjab.