The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has inked a pact with M/s Innovative Greenhouse Projects LLP, Bathinda, for licensing of rooftop vegetable nutrition garden model using soilless media technology.

Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, PAU, and Mr Rajiv Chaudhary, Chairman, Innovative Greenhouse Projects LLP, Bathinda, signed the memorandum of agreement (MoA) on behalf of their respective organizations. Mr Devendra Goswami, Director, Innovative Greenhouse Projects LLP, Bathinda, also graced the occasion.

Dr Bains congratulated the proprietors for sharing responsibility of disseminating technologies developed by PAU.

Dr K.G. Singh, Senior Research Engineer, Department of Soil and Water Engineering, informed that PAU has become a pioneer in developing rooftop/terrace vegetable nutrition garden model for urban and peri-urban population using soilless media. The technology was developed under All India Coordinated Research Project on Plasticulture Engineering and Technology operating In the Department of Soil and Water Engineering, PAU, he added. “The technology requires only 12.6 sq m (net area = 4.2 m x 3.0 m) and gross area is of 20 sq m (5.5 m x 3.6 m). The vegetable produced will be sufficient for a family of 2-4 persons. Ten vegetables like tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, coriander, broccoli, spinach, pea, lettuce, fenugreek and chinni sarson are being grown; with staggered sowing/transplanting, vegetables would be available round the year,” he explained.

Dr S.S. Chahal, Adjunct Professor, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell, said, “PAU has signed 204 MoAs and commercialized 47 technologies including hybrid lines of mustard, chilli and brinjal varieties; biofertilizers; leaf colour chart; forced circulation solar dryer; low alcoholic naturally carbonated beverage; sugarcane juice bottling technology; water testing kit; products; apple cider and other technologies.

Dr G.S. Manes, Additional Director of Research (Bioenergy and Farm Mechanization); Dr Rajan Aggarwal, Head, Department of Soil and Water Engineering; and Dr Angrej Singh, Assistant Agronomist, Department of Soil and Water Engineering, PAU, were also present on the occasion.