US-BASED FARMER AND RANCHER VISITS PAU TO STUDY AGRIBUSINESS
LUDHIANA, MARCH 27:Amrik Saggu
Amid the rising trend for agribusiness entrepreneurship, a Nuffield International Scholar-cum-Director Global Farmer Network (Ex), Ms Hope Pjeskya, who is closely associated with Ms Julie Borlaug of US, visited the School of Business Studies, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), today.
Dr Ramandeep Singh, Director, School of Business Studies (SBS), apprised the US delegate of the initiatives taken by the PAU to promote entrepreneurship and agripreneurship in Punjab. “Diversification within agriculture via agribusiness is vital to navigate challenges, bring in innovation, start new enterprises, draw profits, and make farming and farm families sustainable,” he said. At the Agri Business Laboratory of SBS, Dr Singh showcased the PAU trained entrepreneurs’ products such as Brand Cane Farm’s jaggery by Kaushal Singh; Mapik’s turmeric and alovera blend by Surbhi; and Brand Green Gold’s turmeric by Gurdial Singh.
While interacting with Dr Singh at PAU, Ms Pjeskya told that she hails from a family of farmers as well as ranchers, located in the Northern Oklahoma of US. “Apart from being engaged in raising of hard red winter wheat and stocker cattle, I have a strong interest in global agri trade. As an Eisenhower Agriculture Fellow and McCloy Agriculture Fellow, I have been passionate about agripreneurship which is catching everyone’s eye worldwide,” she added. A member of the Farm Foundation, Ms Pjeskya lauded PAU’s tremendous contribution to the evolvement of agribusiness which is evident from the growing number of Self-Help Groups and startups in Punjab. Besides, Ms Pjeskya is into hosting of international agricultural fellows from other countries in Oklahoma and Washington DC., and provides leadership to the Oklahoma Agriculture Leadership Program as well. She has also volunteered for several years as a board member for the Global Farmer Network.
Accompanying the visiting delegate, Dr Malwinder Malhi discussed the role of Self-Help Groups and farmer-producer organisations in promoting agribusiness.
Dr Sarishma Sharma, Teaching Assistant, SBS, welcomed the US-based farmer and proposed a vote of thanks.
