In India, where about 70% of the population depends on agriculture, the coverage of agriculture (including print and electronic media) is very less. The farm news, at present, mostly emphasizes empirical data wherein facts are presented as revealed by research findings. Also they limit themselves to one-way communication thereby missing the feedback from the beneficiaries.

Punjab Agricultural University has always been in the forefront of teaching, research and extension of modern agricultural know-how. As a part of PAU’s commitment to the facilitation of agricultural development in the state, training of agricultural journalists for a sensitive coverage of agriculture in the media stands significant for the university. In line with this goal, the university has the Department of Agricultural Journalism, Languages and Culture that runs a Postgraduate programme in Journalism and Mass Communication.

The accent of the Department is on demonstrating excellence by enhancing the academic advisement and teaching while adapting effective and efficient models that serve individual students. This, in turn, helps one search for new insights and understandings of relevant public issues. A special focus is laid on languages, particularly English, which is the medium of instruction and Punjabi, the prime vehicle for dialogue with the farmers. The Department also offers Certificate and Diploma courses in French. Besides this, the Department works on improving the overall personality of the students by way of a Certificate Course in Interactive Skills and Personality Enhancement. Classes are also held for preparation of IELTS and GRE.

The Department has a near-perfect placement record with most of its students securing coveted positions in media organizations of repute: Mr. Surinder Sud, the first Agricultural Editor, Business Standard; Mr. P.P.S. Gill, Former Bureau Chief, The Tribune and later retired as the State Information Commissioner; Mr. Ramesh Vinayak, Resident Editor, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, Mr. Varinder Walia, Editor Punjabi Jagran are just to name a few.