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- Dr Abraham Matoc Dhal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology (DrJGMUST), South Sudan, visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, as part of his academic tour to India under the ICCR’s Academic Visitors Programme.
- The university’s eco-smart advancements—such as surface seeding technology and research into root traits, heat tolerance, and photosynthetic efficiency in wheat—were showcased as examples of innovation with global relevance.
- Shared Challenges, Shared VisionWelcoming the delegation, PAU Registrar Dr Rishi Pal Singh noted that while Punjab and South Sudan are geographically distant, they share common agricultural challenges, including climate variability and the need for skilled human resources.
A high-level academic exchange between India and South Sudan is set to pave the way for deeper agricultural cooperation. Dr Abraham Matoc Dhal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology (DrJGMUST), South Sudan, visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, as part of his academic tour to India under the ICCR’s Academic Visitors Programme. The visit marked a significant step towards fostering joint research, technology sharing, and educational partnerships in agriculture.
Showcasing Punjab’s Agri-Innovations
PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal presented the university’s transition from a grain-centric agricultural model to a diversified, market-oriented agribusiness approach. He highlighted PAU’s integrated farming system that combines crops, livestock, aquaculture, agroforestry, and horticulture to boost income, nutrition, and employment opportunities. The university’s eco-smart advancements—such as surface seeding technology and research into root traits, heat tolerance, and photosynthetic efficiency in wheat—were showcased as examples of innovation with global relevance.
South Sudan’s Agricultural Potential
Dr Dhal outlined South Sudan’s vast agricultural landscape, with over half of its land classified as prime farmland and abundant water resources from the White Nile and extensive swamplands. The nation’s varied agro-ecological zones support a wide range of crops, from staples like sorghum and finger millet to cash crops such as coffee and sugarcane. Agriculture accounts for roughly 23% of South Sudan’s GDP, making it a pivotal sector for economic growth. Dr Dhal expressed strong interest in leveraging PAU’s expertise for capacity building, technology transfer, and collaborative research.
Shared Challenges, Shared Vision
Welcoming the delegation, PAU Registrar Dr Rishi Pal Singh noted that while Punjab and South Sudan are geographically distant, they share common agricultural challenges, including climate variability and the need for skilled human resources. Emphasising PAU’s philosophy of “knowledge without borders,” he called for organic, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Cutting-Edge Research Portfolio
PAU’s Director of Research, Dr A.S. Dhatt, presented the university’s diverse research footprint, ranging from water-saving practices and integrated nutrient management to genome editing and nano-fertiliser innovations. He highlighted specialty crop varieties such as high-zinc wheat PBW1 Zn, early-maturing PBW 826, and resistant starch-rich PAU RS-1, alongside advancements in rice, cotton, sugarcane, and maize breeding.
The visit concluded with optimism that Indo–South Sudanese collaboration could enhance agricultural resilience, innovation, and sustainability, benefiting farmers in both regions.
