Sh. Arshdeep Singh Thind, IAS, Administrative Secretary (Agriculture & Horticulture), Government of Punjab and Chairman of the Punjab Horticultural Postharvest Technology Centre (PHPTC), visited the Centre at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana on December 5, 2025. He was accompanied by Dr S.S. Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU and Vice-Chairman, PHPTC; Mrs Hargunjit Kaur, IAS, Managing Director, Punjab Agro; Dr A.S. Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU; and other Executive Committee members for convening the 53rd Meeting of the Executive Committee and General Body.
The dignitaries reviewed PHPTC’s postharvest research infrastructure by visiting key laboratories including the Postharvest Technology Laboratory, Pesticide Residue Testing Laboratory, Heavy Metal Testing Laboratory, Proximate Testing Laboratory, and Moisture Meter Calibration Laboratory.
Dr B.V.C. Mahajan, Director, PHPTC, briefed the delegation on technologies developed at the Centre for packaging, storage, value addition, and reduction of postharvest losses in horticultural produce. Dr Ritu Tandon, Chemist, explained the advanced analytical capabilities of the Centre such as ICP-MS, GC-MS/MS and HPLC-based testing for heavy metals and pesticide residues.
Sh. Thind also interacted with progressive farmers, who acknowledged PHPTC’s pivotal role in offering technical guidance on packaging, storage, and long-distance marketing of fruits and vegetables. The farmers highlighted the need to strengthen cold-chain infrastructure in Punjab to support horticultural growth.
The Chairman and accompanying members expressed deep appreciation for PHPTC’s ongoing research, analytical services, and capacity-building efforts, noting its importance in advancing horticultural diversification and value addition in the state.