Ludhiana: The Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth, the CSR arm of ICICI Group, joined hands to boost collaboration, sharing technical knowledge and know-how for sustainable agriculture.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) came into effect at the PAU campus, with Anuj Agarwal, Chief Operating Officer of ICICI Foundation, and Dr. Manav Indra Singh Gill, Registrar of PAU, signing the dotted line. Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU Vice-Chancellor, along with university officers as well as Mr. Sanjay Datta, President and . Abhay Sharma, Zonal Head North of the ICICI Foundation graced the event.
The pact sets the stage for a transformative alliance, laying the foundation for an array of collaborative endeavors. Within this expansive framework, a diverse range of project activities will be crafted, each one rooted in the principles of sustainable agricultural practices, innovative technologies, and the dissemination of global best practices in agriculture and horticulture.
Both partners will address critical areas such as crop residue management, waste management, and the judicious stewardship of natural resources.
Moreover, this partnership extends its reach to the underprivileged, with a commitment to providing agricultural education support and empowering those in need to thrive and prosper within this transformative landscape.
Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal observed that the alliance marked a significant milestone, enabling the vast reservoir of expert knowledge housed within PAU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras to reach a wider audience. The collaboration would facilitate the practical application of ongoing research endeavors. Anticipating joint efforts in research and extension initiatives, Dr Gosal mentioned that these would generate a meaningful and tangible impact on society. This partnership represents a promising avenue for knowledge exchange and innovation as well as inclusive and collective progress, he remarked.
Commenting on the bipartite vision of advancing sustainable agriculture, Mr. Sanjay Datta pictured the MoU as a crucial link between small-scale farmers and the university leveraging the power of innovation to revolutionize agriculture. By pooling expertise, knowledge, and resources, effective solutions to pressing farming challenges could be discovered, he maintained. Emphasizing the agricultural sector’s multifarious requirements, he underscored the importance of academia and practitioners joining forces to implement tailored and replicable models that bring scalability and sustainability.
Anuj Agarwal outlined ICICI Foundation's goals of transforming villages into self-sustaining ecosystems through integrated value-chain interventions in agriculture and allied activities.
Their initiatives prioritize water conservation, sustainable resource use, and ecological balance.
Additionally, customized initiatives are designed aimed at women's empowerment for holistic development and a sustainable future. This enables women to achieve economic independence and participate in decision-making at all levels, he revealed.
Dr. M.I.S. Gill provided an insightful glimpse into PAU's research and outreach programs. He informed that PAU is a pioneering state agricultural university that earned the moniker ‘Mother of Green Revolution’ for its pivotal role in achieving food grain self-sufficiency in the country. He hailed the agreement as a sturdy base for a long-lasting and productive partnership.
Dr Rishi Indra Singh Gill, PAU’s Estate Officer, welcomed the gathering and envisaged a synergistic collaboration that promised both experiential learning and knowledge dissemination.
Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institution Relations), coordinated the event and equated such alliances to a key that unlocks opportunities and empowers individuals enabling them to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
The MoU between PAU and ICICI Foundation is now in effect for five years, potentially renewable.