Punjab Agricultural University's Ludhiana Center Secures Prestigious National Research Award
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has achieved significant national recognition by securing the "Third Best Centre of the Year 2025 Award" under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (PHET). This honor was conferred during the 41st Annual Workshop of AICRP on PHET, which was held at Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University in Vishakhapatnam.
Competitive Excellence Against National Peers
Competing against 29 centers nationwide, the PAU center was selected for this award based on its outstanding performance across multiple criteria. The evaluation included research achievements, technology development, academic publications, and the effective dissemination of post-harvest innovations. University officials emphasized that the AICRP on PHET, which operates from the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, has consistently demonstrated excellence at the national level.
This achievement builds on a strong track record, as the center previously secured the first position in 2023 and has now achieved the third position consecutively in both 2024 and 2025. This consistent performance underscores PAU's leadership in agricultural research and development.
Recognized Research Team and Their Innovations
The award-winning team comprises distinguished scientists and researchers who have driven these successes:
- Dr. MS Alam (Principal Scientist-cum-PI)
- Dr. Surekha Bhatia (Principal Biochemist)
- Dr. Sandhya (Principal Scientist)
- Dr. Manpreet Kaur Saini (Senior Entomologist)
- Dr. Rohit Sharma (Senior Scientist)
- Dr. Gagandeep Kaur (Food Microbiologist)
Under the leadership of Dr. Alam, the team has developed several application-oriented technologies that address real-world agricultural challenges. Key innovations include:
- Protocols for stevia powder and menthol crystal production
- Vacuum-assisted osmotic impregnation systems
- Vacuum-assisted ohmic heating systems for aonla juice
Impact on Sustainable Agro-Processing and Industry
Dr. TC Mittal, Head of the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, highlighted that these innovations demonstrate the center's commitment to sustainable agro-processing solutions. He noted that the technologies developed are both farmer-friendly and industry-oriented, contributing significantly to:
- Value addition in agricultural products
- Reduction of post-harvest losses
- Entrepreneurship development in the agricultural sector
Beyond technical advancements, the center has focused on capacity building through comprehensive training programs for farmers, entrepreneurs, and government officials. These initiatives aim to strengthen regional agro-processing infrastructure and promote wider adoption of innovative practices.
Dr. Mittal also emphasized the center's strong industry linkages, citing the successful licensing of two major technologies within a six-month period:
- Pectin Extraction Technology
- Protection Kit for Stored Pulses
This national award not only celebrates PAU's research excellence but also reinforces its role in advancing India's agricultural productivity and sustainability through cutting-edge post-harvest technologies.
