The PAU is a pioneer state agricultural university (SAU) in India for research, education and extension in India. The university has played a pivotal role in making the country self-sufficient in food grain production and is known as "Mother of Green Revolution".

Punjab, with 1.53% geographical area, contributes about 60% wheat and 45% rice to the central food grain kitty. This is the result of path-breaking research at PAU backed by world-class teaching and extension services provided at the door-step of the farmers.

• The university has recommended 809 varieties/hybrids of different crops out of which 173 have been released at national level.
• PAU produced the first hybrid grain pearl millet in the world.
• PAU has developed first Bt cotton variety, PAU Bt 1 in India. It has been released by ICAR for cultivation in Punjab and Haryana.
• PAU has developed less seeded PAU kinnow 1. It has 3-4 seeds per fruit as compared to 18-20 seeds in conventional kinnow fruit.
• Presently about 95% area under wheat and 60% area under rice in the state is under improved varieties recommended by PAU. The PAU varieties have been popular in many other states of the country as well.
• The PAU is leader in conservation agriculture as it recommended conservation tillage way back in late 80s. The direct-drilling of wheat in combine-harvested rice residues by PAU Happy Seeder is a classic example of conservation agriculture in the country.
• The university is pioneer in apiculture leading the state to produce 13.9 % honey of the country. It is pioneer in successful introduction, establishment and development of Italian honey bee (Apis mellifera) in India during 1962 to 1964
• The PAU is leader in farm mechanization and has facilitated the state as a 'Farm Machinery Hub' for the other states as well.
• The university research scientists have made possible the crop cultivation in non-conventional seasons (moong, maize, sugarcane, groundnut, mash).

PAU is a world-renowned university with active collaborations with CGIAR institutes (CIMMYT, IRRI, ICRISAT, ICARDA, CIAT), AVRDC, University of Wisconsin, WSU, Pullman; OSU, Columbus; KSU, Manhattan; Purdue University, USA; Olds College, Alberta, Canada; University of Western Australia, ACIAR, Australia.

Recognitions

• Based on its contributions, PAU was declared as Best state agricultural university in 1995 by ICAR. First SAU to receive this Award
• The ICAR has set up five centers of Advanced Studies at PAU (of these 3 are now in GADVASU).
• PAU was the first university to get special grant of ` 100 crores by the Central Government in 2006-07 for Basic and Strategic Research in Agriculture and as an acknowledgement of its role in eliminating food shortages and alleviating hunger: First University to receive as high as ` 100 crore Grant
• First International Potash Institute (Switzerland) and Fertilizer Association of India (IPI-FAI) Award for transfer of technology in balanced use of fertilizer in 2010
• First Agricultural University of the Year Award (Krishi Shiksha Samman) by Mahindra & Mahindra in 2011
• Agriculture Leadership Award by Agriculture Today Group in 2015
• PAU got ISO 9001: 2008 Certification.
• Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding performance in Maize Research and Development? during 1957-2015
• Certificate for Best Performance in ?Breeder seed Production of maize during 1995-2015

PAU Rankings at National Level

• Ranked 3^rd among all Agricultural Institutions/Universities by ICAR in 2017
• Ranked 40^th among all Agricultural Institutions by MHRD (NIRF) in 2017
• Ranked 24^th among all Universities by MHRD (NIRF) in 2017
• Ranked 7^th among all State fundedUniversities by MHRD (NIRF) in 2017
• Ranked 3^rd among all Agricultural Institutions/Universities by MHRD (NIRF) in 2017
• Ranked 2^nd among all Agricultural Universities by MHRD (NIRF) in 2017
• Ranked 1^st among Top State Universities based on total number of research publications by CII-ICI in 2017
• Ranked 1^st among Top State Universities based on number of research paper citations by CII-ICI in 2017
• Ranked 1^st for development of Landmark Varieties by Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding in 2017