From helping India overcome food shortages during the Green Revolution to embracing artificial intelligence and precision farming, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) marked its 63rd Foundation Day on Wednesday by outlining its vision for the next phase of agricultural transformation.
Established on July 8, 1963, the university said it is now focusing on technology-driven and climate-resilient farming practices to address emerging challenges such as depleting natural resources, climate change and the need for sustainable food production.
Vice chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal said the Foundation Day was an occasion to celebrate not only the institution’s legacy but also its enduring commitment to improving farmers’ lives through scientific innovation.
Founded at a time when the country grappled with acute food shortages, PAU played a pivotal role in the Green Revolution by developing improved crop varieties and disseminating scientific farming practices that transformed Punjab into India’s food bowl and helped the country attain food self-sufficiency.
Building on that legacy, the university continues to expand its research portfolio. Since its inception, PAU has developed more than 970 crop varieties and hybrids, including over 225 of national importance. In 2025 alone, it released 20 new crop varieties while intensifying work on precision agriculture, GNSS-based tractor auto-steering systems, Internet of Things-enabled irrigation, sensor-operated farm machinery, post-harvest technologies, advanced cold storage systems and eco-friendly bioenzyme products aimed at enhancing productivity and conserving natural resources.
The university has also strengthened its outreach programmes to help farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Through Kisan Melas, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Farm Advisory Service Centres, village training programmes and Kisan Clubs, PAU has been promoting crop diversification, natural farming, water conservation, crop residue management and climate-smart agriculture. During the 2025 floods, it also launched a large-scale seed support campaign to help affected farmers resume cultivation.
{{/usCountry}}The university has also strengthened its outreach programmes to help farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Through Kisan Melas, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Farm Advisory Service Centres, village training programmes and Kisan Clubs, PAU has been promoting crop diversification, natural farming, water conservation, crop residue management and climate-smart agriculture. During the 2025 floods, it also launched a large-scale seed support campaign to help affected farmers resume cultivation.
{{/usCountry}}PAU has simultaneously consolidated its academic standing by retaining the top position among State Agricultural Universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the third consecutive year. It also secured the first rank among State Agricultural Universities and second position nationally in the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025 and 2026, featured among EduRank’s top 100 agricultural institutions globally and received the IIRF Education Impact Award 2026 for excellence in experiential learning, mentoring and extension education.
The university has also expanded collaborations with leading international universities and research institutions, while strengthening its research ecosystem through investments in modern laboratories, digital infrastructure, agro-processing facilities and student amenities. According to university officials, these initiatives are aimed at fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and globally relevant agricultural research as PAU prepares to address the evolving needs of Indian agriculture.