A delegation from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) visited Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and its Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sangrur from 25 to 26 September, 2025. The delegation included, Dr Mathew Champness, Agronomy Specialist, FAO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, Bangkok; Dr Jitendra Jaiswal, GEF Field Expert, FAO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, Bangkok; and Dr Ashok Kumar, Agronomy Specialist, FAO New Delhi. The objective of the visit was to review the progress of GEF 7 project at PAU and to formulate plan for more PAU-FAO collaborative projects. A meeting with Director of Research, Dr A S Dhatt and Director of Extension, Dr M S Bhullar and other scientists of PAU to discuss the progress of GEF-7 project and to formulate new project was held. The delegation also visited PAU Kisan Mela and commended the participation of all stakeholders at large and also emphasized that such a large and enthusiastic participation by farmers, scientists, and institutions will make farming more sustainable, resource-efficient, and environmentally friendly.

As a part of visit farmer–scientist interaction was organized on 25 September, focusing on Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and alternate wetting and drying was was organized in village Kakara and Panwan by KVK Sangrur under the able leadership of Dr Mandeep Singh, Incharge, KVK, Sangrur. Dr Buta Singh Dhillon, Senior Agronomist (Rice), Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana led the interaction session and visit of demo plots and a fruitful interaction was held. Farmers and scientists held a rich discussion on herbicide options, spray technology, and crop residue management machinery for wheat sowing. The benefits of retaining crop residue as mulch and its incorporation into the soil were also emphasized. Dr Mathew Champness appreciated the efforts of Punjab’s farmers in successfully adopting DSR and underscored the global significance of in-situ crop residue management to reduce stubble burning. Dr Ashok Kumar Yadav and Dr Jitendra Jaiswal also exchanged field experiences, challenges, and solutions for sustainable farming and commended the community for its collaborative spirit and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting sustainable farming practices in Punjab. In total, about 40 farmers actively participated in the interaction event.