LUDHIANA: Sukhchain Singh, senior maize breeder in Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been appointed as incharge, new crops. He will initiate research work on drought tolerant crops that have low water requirement like agave, guar and hemp. PAU is going to submit a project worth Rs 1.29 crore to the department of biotechnology.
Singh, 58, said the first green revolution that was ushered in the late 60s in Punjab, has almost petered out and for more than a decade farmers of the state have been expecting PAU to give a technology for increasing their income.
"Agave is a bio-fuel crop that is suitable for production of ethanol. It can be successfully cultivated in semi-arid tracts such as in drought prone areas of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Ropar districts, where farmers usually lead a very hard life,'' he said, adding that cultivating agave will bring prosperity in the area.Hemp is another crop that is used to manufacture long lasting cloth, health foods, paper and pharmaceuticals. "We will seek permission from IG (narcotics) to do research on hemp and promote its commercial cultivation,'' said Singh.
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