Two five-day training programmes on ‘Field inspection and seed sampling methodology of major cereals, pulses and vegetables’ and ‘Visit of SPCD key staff from seed certification and production system in India’, for Afghanistan delegation concluded here today. The trainings were conducted as a part of research agreement with International Centre for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in which 14 delegates from Seed & Planting material Certification Directorate, Afghanistan participated. Chairing the valedictory function, Dr. Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, PAU, highlighted the role of seed certification in quality seed production for enhancing the food production. He said that in developing countries seed production and certification is the prerogative of the Government institutions. So, there is need to strengthen these organizations through such trainings.

Dr K S Thind, Additional Director of Research took note of feedback from the participants and assured solutions in future training programmes. Dr Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Assoc. Director (Seeds), welcomed the Chief Guest and elaborated that the delegates were acquainted with seed production, certification, sampling, processing, testing, health etc. Visits were also conducted to the University Seed Farm, Ladhowal, Centre of Excellence for potato, Dhogri, Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur, Seed Processing Centre, NSC Jalandhar, Quarntime Centre in Amritsar and Onkar Seed Cororation, Amritsar to apprise them practical knowledge of seed production and marketing system in India.

The Afghan delegates Khalid Afzal and Mr Hayatullah Kamalzai, from SPCD expressed their gratitude for providing training and hospitality. They were hopeful the sharing of knowledge would be of immense help in strengthening seed production in their country. Dr. Rajinder Singh ensured that PAU will always support the training need of the Afghanistan officials, students etc. in future as well. Dr T P Singh, proposed the vote of thanks. He said the training would help in augmenting quality seed production in Afghanistan.