Afghan delegation, PAU experts discuss water conservation

A 22-member Afghan delegation comprising senior policy makers today discussed watershed management and seed certification with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) experts here.
Hamid Halmandi, advisor to the President of Afghanistan, and Mehboobullah Nag, Director Seed Certification, the Government of Afghanistan, were part of the delegation, said an official release issued by PAU.
Halmandi said with only four per cent of land under productive agriculture in Afghanistan, and nearly 90 per cent water getting wasted, there was an urgent need for capacity building in the landlocked country.
With years of war having devastated the nation, 40 per cent of wheat was being imported, and it was a challenge to feed the nation, he said.

Assuring full support for agricultural development in Afghanistan, PAU Vice Chancellor B S Dhillon said Punjab shared greater socio-cultural similarity with Afghanistan and Central Asia in terms of food, language, dress etc as compared to south India.
During the two hour-long deliberations presided over by Balwinder Singh, Director Research, there were extensive discussions on techniques for constructing water harvesting structures, water conservation strategies, seed certification process and authenticity.
Department Heads and experts from PAU interacted with the delegates and gave tips for capacity building, it said.
The delegates also expressed their desire for greater number of fellowships in the field of agricultural education for the benefit of Afghan students, the release added.