PAU scholars, agricultural experts and Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle highlight entrepreneurship, value addition and modern farming for the next generation
Ludhiana, September 15, 2026: With Punjab’s agricultural sector facing the need for greater diversification and innovation, agricultural experts, PAU scholars and members of the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle have called upon young people to look beyond traditional farming and explore new opportunities in agribusiness.
The message was delivered at a seminar titled “Empowering Youth through Agribusiness”, organised by the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle under the aegis of its Guru Ramdas Centre for Economic Growth.
The programme focused on transforming agriculture into a modern, technology-driven and commercially viable enterprise capable of creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Punjab’s youth.
Experts Call for a New Approach to Farming
The programme began with the recitation of a Gurbani verse highlighting the dignity of farming and productive labour.
Dr S.S. Johl, former Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab and the chief guest, stressed the need for agricultural policies to be aligned with public welfare and rural employment generation.
Former PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal said the future of Punjab agriculture would depend increasingly on modern technology, scientific knowledge, value addition and entrepreneurial thinking.
He also called for a statewide movement encouraging young farmers to enter agribusiness and urged successful Punjabi agricultural entrepreneurs settled abroad to contribute their expertise, investment and market connections.
From Farm to Business: Focus on Young Entrepreneurs
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Ramandeep Singh Jassal, Director of the School of Business Studies and Principal Investigator at NIDHI-TBI, PAU, said agriculture has expanded far beyond crop cultivation.
He highlighted opportunities in areas such as food processing, agricultural technology, logistics, marketing and innovation.
Emphasising the concept of “Farm to Business,” Dr Jassal encouraged young people to become job creators rather than limiting themselves to seeking employment.
Value Addition and Better Market Access
Speakers at the seminar also highlighted the importance of processing, branding, packaging and marketing agricultural products.
Sardar Jaspal Singh, General Secretary of the Guru Ramdas Centre, said value addition could help farmers and entrepreneurs gain better access to both domestic and international markets.
The Netherlands was cited as an example of an export-oriented agricultural economy where technology, processing and market integration have contributed significantly to the sector.
Modern Machinery and Sustainable Farming
Partap Singh, Director of the Dr Inderjit Singh Agriculture and Rural Development Centre, advocated the shared use of expensive farm machinery and greater adoption of low-cost technologies to reduce cultivation expenses and improve resource utilisation.
Meanwhile, Khushwinder Bir Singh, Director of the Guru Ramdas Centre for Economic Growth, stressed that protecting Punjab’s fertile agricultural land would remain essential for long-term and sustainable prosperity.
Dairy Farming and Rural Tourism Highlighted
The seminar also explored opportunities beyond conventional crop farming.
Dr Jaspal Singh Hundal, Director of Students’ Welfare at GADVASU, highlighted dairy farming as a potential source of regular income and said the university was providing training in modern dairy production technologies.
Economist Dr Balwinder Pal Singh highlighted rural tourism as another potential source of employment and income for rural communities.
Strengthening Branding and Retail Channels
Former banker Brij Bhushan Goyal suggested greater cooperation between the PAU Innovation Centre, the Punjab Government, Verka and MARKFED outlets to help Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) market their products.
He emphasised the importance of proper branding and organised retail channels to help rural producers reach consumers more effectively.
Agriculture as an Integrated Economic Enterprise
The seminar concluded with a broader call for a shift in the way agriculture is viewed in Punjab.
Participants stressed that farming should increasingly be seen not merely as a traditional livelihood but as an integrated economic enterprise driven by technology, entrepreneurship, value addition, market access, rural employment and sustainable management of natural resources.
The event was attended by PAU scholars, agricultural scientists, academics and representatives of the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle. Gurmeet Singh, Director, Overseas, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, proposed the vote of thanks.
