Punjab and Iowa to start joint ventures in agriculture and eduction sectors

by Punjabnewswire4u
CHANDIGARH, FEB 9
          In a bid to bring much needed crop diversification and to boost the education sector in the state, Punjab would soon initiate joint ventures with IOWA State (USA).
An announcement to this effect was made by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal during a high level meeting with a 21 member delegation - one of the biggest US delegation so far at Punjab Bhawan this morning.
The delegation was headed by CEO & President of IOWA Board of Regent Mr. Craig A. Lang and Secretary of Agriculture IOWA Mr. William Howard Northey, includes Executive Director, IOWA Utilities Board Mr. Joan Ann Conrad, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences – IOWA State University Mr. Wendy Kay Winter, Vice President of University of IOWA Dr. Barry and others.
Mr. Badal apprised the visiting US delegation that Punjab’s economy was mostly an agrarian like IOWA and even having less than 2% of the entire land of the country Punjab was a major contributor of food grains to the national kitty with its 42% share of rice and 50% that of wheat. Expressing concern over the Agricultural stagnation in the state Mr. Badal said that now the agri sector had reached at a saturation point, it was the need of the hour to adopt diversification for which state had prepared a comprehensive plan and determined to implement it in an effective and phased manner besides, boosting allied businesses for the economic growth of the farmers.
Mr. Badal further said that Under diversification programme for reducing the area under paddy cultivation from 28-lac hectare to 16-lac hectare, the state would need technical support and expertise from the advanced agrarian economy of the country like US for effective diversification. He also mentioned that areas like dairy farming, fishery besides maize, soya, fruits & vegetables cultivation were some of other major sectors where their state could provide vital technical support to our farmers. He said that wherever the hardworking Punjabis had started living, contributed enormously for the economic growth, overall development and prosperity of that country.
About the progress in education sector Mr. Badal informed the visiting delegation that due to the concerted efforts of their Government, Punjab had improved its Education Development Index (EDI) rank from fourteenth to number one position in the country. He also offered IOWA to work jointly for the development of both the states.
Appreciating the concern of Mr. Badal to further develop agriculture and education sectors CEO & President of Iowa Board of Regents Mr. Craig A. Lang, mentioned that both Punjab and IOWA were identical states and they were looking for some long-term partnerships with bilateral approach. In their point of view the Punjab was a perfect state for IOWA to explore opportunities in the fields of Agriculture and Education. He highly appreciated the Punjabis farmers who were known for their success stories across the glob and assured the Chief Minister that the IOWA’s progressive farmers and experts would extend all possible technical support in agricultural field with firm commitment and zeal.
          Prominent amongst those who attended the meeting included; Chairman Punjab Farmers Commission Dr. GS Kalkat,Financial Commissioner Development GS Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry & Director Dairy Development Mr. G. Vajralingam, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. Karan A Singh, Special Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar besides, Vice Chancellors of the various Universities of Punjab and other senior officers.