Punjab Agricultural University inks deal with Maharashtra seeds corporation

LUDHIANA: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today signed an agreement with the Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation Limited ( MSSCL) for the seed production of its (PAU) own developed maize hybrid PMH -1.

Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice Chancellor of PAU and A B Unhale, Managing Director of MSSCL signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Akola in Maharashtra on behalf of their respective organisations, a university spokesman said here.

PAU aims at commercialising its technologies by establishing strong linkages with the industry, he said.

"Under this pact, PAU has offered MSSCL the seed production programme of maize hybrid PMH-1 in Andhra Pradesh during Rabi season 2015-16 for supplying seed to the farmers of Punjab during Kharif 2016," he said.

Being the first seed production programme of this hybrid in Andhra Pradesh (AP), the PAU would provide necessary technical guidance to the seed growers at crucial growth stages of the crop by deputing its technical personnel to AP from time to time, he said.

Meanwhile, Unhale said, "MSSCL is a Maharashtra government organisation that produces nearly 10 lakh quintals of seed of different crops for various organisations."

He observed that MSSCL was keen to have more such partnerships with PAU for the benefit of the farmers.

MSSCL would organize the maize hybrid PMH-1 seed production programme for and on behalf of PAU, at farms of selected seed growers, in Andhra Pradesh under contract with it, he added.

The hybrid seed produced would be certified, graded and packed for supply to PAU, he said.