Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
Pantnagar. August 24, 2026: Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, has taken a significant initiative to revive its old seed production relationship with Uttarakhand Seeds and Tarai Development Corporation. It was decided in the board meeting of the Uttarakhand Seeds and Tarai Development Corporation (UKS&TDC) held on August 6, 2026 that the foundation seeds of various crop varieties will be produced by the university and will be made available to UKS&TDC as per their demand.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Shivendra Kumar Kashyap stated that Pantnagar has a national and international reputation for quality seed production. To further strengthen this identity, 25 percent of the seed production for recommended wheat varieties (for both hill and plain regions) for the upcoming Rabi season will be produced and supplied by the university to UKS&TDC. Foundation seeds of wheat varieties in 86 hectares, lentil verities in 25 hectares, gram varieties in across 2 hectares and other crops varieties in 10 hectares will be produced by the university and provided to UKS&TDC. The participation of shareholder farmers with UKS&TDC will continue as before. Currently, the university produces approximately 7,000 quintals of breeder seeds of various crop varieties annually, which are utilized by several states across the country.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the objective of this initiative is to revive the old seed production and supply model between Pantnagar and UKS&TDC, and to re-establish Pantnagar as a major hub for large-scale quality seed production. He shared that discussions have already been held in two phases with the officials of the university’s research centers and university farm to meet the seed and planting material requirements of various crops in the state and necessary strategies are being formulated. He added that the university will provide all possible support for the strengthening of UKS&TDC and remains committed to playing an important role in fulfilling the state’s seed and planting materials requirements.
Highlighting the academic progress of the university, he mentioned that the admission process for the 2026-27 academic session is nearly complete, and a spot round will soon be organized to fill the vacant seats. Regular classes have been running smoothly across all colleges since August 18, 2026 and students admitted through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will also join the university shortly. A large-scale 15-day ‘Diksharambh’ (orientation) program is being organized for newly admitted students, with approximately 1,000 first-year students are participating in the same. During the program, students are being introduced to the university’s various colleges, research centers, laboratories and other facilities so that they can understand academic and research activities while setting a better direction for their four-year academic journey and future careers.
The press conference was conducted by Director, Communication Dr. J.P. Jaiswal, with Assistant Director, Communication Dr. Arpita Kandpal and representatives from print and electronic media in attendance.
