Kenyan governor Patrick Khaemba, and minister of agriculture Mary Nzomo, paid a visit to the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in India to discuss how they can collaborate and cooperate.
Senior Punjab Agriculture University officials welcomed the Kenyan delegation as they plotted the way forward with the institution at the forefront of agricultural development in the country.
The members of the group were greeted warmly by college principal, Pardeep Singh Walia, and senior members of the college council. He said the delegation’s decision to visit the college was a matter of honour.
Upon their arrival, the delegation was escorted by cadets who gave a guard of honour. Adding to the excitement, students dressed in traditional Punjabi attire, gave them a warm welcome by singing and showering the visitors with flower petals, according to the Hindustan Times.
Joining forces
Mr Khaemba said the delegation discussed how Kenya can assist the university with some of the challenges they are facing. “We should jointly work in areas which are in accordance with the governmental rules of both the nations,” he said.
Minister Nzomo added that Punjabi and Kenyan cultures are very similar. “As both are rice and wheat producers, we would like to focus on food and nutrition, as well as food diversification such as cereals and pulses,” she said.
PAU views itself as a pioneer of the green revolution, cattle breeding, farm mechanisation and apiculture, and therefore, has an important role to play in the development of Punjab agriculture. Currently, one of the university’s prime areas of focus is enhancing crop productivity and quality, as well as conducting research about biotic and abiotic stress.
Representatives from the university suggested joining forces in horticulture and field crops, farm machinery, water efficiency and agro-forestry among others.
The group was on an inspection tour on behalf of the Kenyan government, which would subsequently be converted into a bilateral study, research, and import of technology and instruments. India was used as a field research and study location for two years.
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