The Department of Agricultural Journalism, Languages and Culture at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) plays a vital role in bridging the gap between agricultural science and society through impactful communication. Despite agriculture being the backbone of India, with nearly 70% of the population reliant on it, media coverage of the sector remains sparse and often restricted to data-heavy, one-way narratives that lack farmer engagement.
Committed to transforming this scenario, PAU established the Department as part of its broader mission to lead agricultural education, research, and extension. The Department offers a Postgraduate Programme in Journalism and Mass Communication, meticulously designed to nurture media professionals who can report not only on mainstream beats like politics, crime, entertainment, and sports, but also bring insight, empathy, and depth to stories on agriculture and rural development, often the most overlooked yet vital sectors.
We focus on academic excellence, personalised guidance, and innovative teaching models that foster a deeper understanding of public issues. Language development is integral to our curriculum, with English as the medium of instruction and Punjabi as the core language for farmer communication. To promote multilingual proficiency, the Department offers Certificate and Diploma courses in French. Additionally, a Certificate course in Interactive Skills and Personality Enhancement equips students with the confidence and communication finesse essential for professional success.
Our alumni have made significant contributions to agricultural and mainstream journalism. Notable names include Mr. SurinderSud, the first Agricultural Editor at Business Standard; Mr. P.P.S. Gill, former Bureau Chief at The Tribune and former State Information Commissioner; Mr. Ramesh Vinayak, Executive Editor, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh; Mr. VarinderWalia, Editor, Punjabi Jagran; and Mr. Amit Sharma, Editor (Punjab and Chandigarh), DainikJagran, and many more.
With a strong industry reputation and an exceptional placement record, the Department continues to produce thought leaders in agricultural journalism who uphold the values of informed, inclusive, and responsible media.
