Date:27/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/09/27/stories/2006092703030800.htm

FieldFresh Foods in pact with Punjab agri varsity

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Sept. 26

FieldFresh Foods (P) Ltd, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, Rothschild, and the Punjab Agricultural University, have announced a collaborative agreement to promote the development of agriculture in India.

Under the agreement, FieldFresh Foods and Punjab Agricultural University will jointly work to develop technologies and infrastructures for round-the-year production of fruits and vegetables, besides creation of infrastructure for value addition through processing of fruits and vegetables.

Improving farm tech

The partnership will also seek to develop infrastructure for research, processing and marketing in the agricultural sector other than promoting the adoption of improved farming technologies and cooperative farming.

Important step

On the occasion, Dr B.S. Dhillon, Director of Research, Punjab Agricultural University, said: "The agreement with FieldFresh Foods is an important step that will positively impact the agricultural community and will substantiate our efforts in the development of quality manpower and research collaborations."

To provide an impetus to further education in agricultural sciences, FieldFresh has instituted an annual sponsorship programme for four PhD level students at the university focusing on horticulture.

Opportunity for students

The company will provide an opportunity to students from Punjab Agricultural University to conduct extensive on-site research & development at its research farms.

It will also participate in recruitment camps to provide employment opportunities to the university students.