US, Afghan delegations visit PAU

A 12-member delegation of agriculturists from USA and Afghanistan visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today for an overview of Indian agriculture system.
The delegation, led by Brent Webster Beck of USA, visited PAU's experimental area in the department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agrometeorology Observatory and mushroom farm.
The aim of their visit was to apprise Afghan agriculturists of new farming technologies and provide them with educational experience in agriculture, said Beck.
There was an urgent need for development of new technology to maintain sustainability in agriculture, he said.
Dr Mohammad Hassan Rashiq, Professor of Agriculture and Animal Sciences at Kabul University said, "We have come to PAU to learn about academic programmes of this University, to study India's experience in agriculture and see its application in Afghanistan".

Nearly 80 per cent of Afghanistan's population is engaged in farming, Rashiq said, highlighting that agriculture is the mainstay of the country's economy.
Wheat and rice are the major crops, he said, adding that low productivity of wheat and other crops and poor soil fertility are major challenges faced by Afghanistan.