PAU inks pact with Japanese firm to develop coloured cotton

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 18

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan-based Nippon Steel and Sumikin Bussan (NSSB) Corporation for development of cotton through biotechnological means.

The pact was inked by PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon and Eiichi Nakamura, senior managing executive officer, NSSB, in the presence of the delegation from Japan and deans and directors of the PAU.

Tetsuya Uetake, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Dinesh Oswal, chairman, Nahar Group, Dr DS Brar, member, PAU Board of Management and Dr Jagdish Kaur, additional director communication also graced the occasion.

The NSSB is a global leader in steel with an annual turnover of $18 billion and has interests in textiles and food items as well. Its textile division is engaged in all the steps starting from material development, product planning, production and distribution.

“This MoU is a significant milestone for the PAU as a leading international conglomerate has stepped forward to fund a crucial research project,” said Dr Dhillon. He said this was a new beginning and more collaborations would be done at national and international level.

Dr Sakae Suzuki of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has cloned the genes responsible for pigment (colour) production in flowers. Using the same analogy, the PAU would be working on developing coloured cotton.

Uetake appreciated efforts of the PAU and NSSB in formulating the collaboration and hoped that more Japanese companies would come forward to tap the strength of the PAU.

Dr NS Bains, Director of Research, PAU, gave a brief overview of the proposed research project.

He said, “The PAU is known for its strength in developing superior crop varieties and use of biotechnological tools for speeding up breeding process. An interest in the development of cotton varieties with specific quality characteristics led the NSSB to PAU.”