The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) actively participated in the Punjab Potato Growers Day, celebrated under the leadership of Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, at Sandhu Farms, village Jodhan, Ludhiana, on December 16. The programme brought together progressive potato growers from across Punjab and a multidisciplinary team of PAU scientists and experts under the guidance of Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education. The PAU delegation included representatives from the School of Business Studies, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Department of Plant Pathology, Department of Vegetable Crops, PAMETI and NIDHI–Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-TBI). The interactions focused on strengthening the potato value chain, encompassing quality seed, disease management, productivity, post-harvest handling, value addition, processing, and market integration.
As the keynote speaker, Dr Gosal addressed the gathering with his vast knowledge and experience in agricultural research and development. In his address, he emphasized the need for scientific potato cultivation, adoption of improved and disease-resistant varieties, and integration of research-backed technologies across the value chain. He encouraged the farmers to work closely with PAU scientists to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability while aligning potato cultivation with emerging market and processing opportunities.
Dr Ramandeep Singh, Director, School of Business Studies and Principal Investigator, NIDHI-TBI, delivered a lecture highlighting the economic dimensions of the potato value chain. He enlightened farmers about opportunities in processing, branding, packaging, storage, entrepreneurship, and startup-led agribusiness models to enhance farm incomes beyond primary production.
Experts from different domains also shared their insights during the interaction. Mr Gurinder Singh, CEO, NIDHI-TBI, highlighted the role of startup incubation and entrepreneurship support in developing value-added potato enterprises, while Mr Sameer Gautam, Business Manager, NIDHI-TBI, explained the institutional handholding and support mechanisms available to agripreneurs under DST initiatives.
Dr Amarjeet Singh, Principal Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology, stressed effective disease management strategies to minimize crop losses, and Dr Gurupkar Singh Sidhu, Senior Fruit Biotechnologist, discussed the role of biotechnology in ensuring quality planting material.
Dr KB Singh, Director, PAMETI, emphasized capacity building and farmer training for adopting modern potato cultivation practices.
Dr Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, VRF Khanora Farm, shared practical field-level experiences on varietal performance, while Dr Tarundeep Kaur Dhariwal, Agronomist, highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition and sound agronomic practices.
Dr Malwinder Singh Malhi, Member Global Farmer Network, spoke on global best practices and farmer-led innovation, and Ms Komal Chopra Lekhi, PAU trained entrepreneur, underlined the significance of market orientation, branding, and consumer-driven potato products.
The program concluded on an encouraging note with farmers expressing appreciation for the practical insights shared by PAU scientists and experts. The interactive deliberations reaffirmed Punjab Agricultural University’s continued commitment to strengthening farmer–scientist linkages and promoting sustainable, market-driven growth of the potato sector in Punjab.