Exclusive Interview: PAU VC Dr. S.S Gosal warns of post-flood weed threat, pushes groundnut as Punjab’s sustainable future; Watch Video
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 12, 2026: The devastating floods that struck Punjab in 2023 and again in 2025 may have receded, but their impact on the state’s agriculture continues to unfold. Scientists at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have discovered significant changes in weed populations across several flood-affected districts, prompting fresh research and closer collaboration with farmers.
In an interview with Baljit Balli, Senior Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Babushahi Network, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal described the situation as a “danger bell” for Punjab’s farming sector and stressed the need for constant vigilance.
Dr Gosal said PAU teams are actively studying fields affected by floods to determine whether new invasive weed species have entered Punjab’s agricultural ecosystem through floodwaters.
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“The weeds that farmers are familiar with can be managed, but our concern is about new or foreign weed species that may have arrived after the floods. Our teams are studying this issue closely,” he said.
PAU has appealed to farmers across the state to become partners in the monitoring process. Dr Gosal said farmers have been requested to photograph any unusual weeds found in their fields and share the images with university experts.
“We are working closely with farmers. If they come across any unfamiliar weed, they should immediately send us a photograph. Identifying such weeds is our responsibility,” he said.
Recent PAU surveys conducted in flood-hit districts including Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Rupnagar, Amritsar and Patiala have already revealed the presence of weed species not previously reported in some of these regions. Among them are wild radish (jangli mooli), celery-leaved buttercup and marsh yellow-cress, which scientists believe may have been transported through floodwaters carrying seeds and plant material from upstream areas.
Dr Gosal said early detection is crucial. “We need to eliminate the threat in the bud before such weeds establish themselves and become a larger problem for farmers,” he remarked.
Among the weeds being closely monitored is Gulli Danda weed, which researchers fear could spread aggressively if not controlled in time.
The PAU Vice-Chancellor also spoke about the extensive soil restoration work undertaken after the floods. In areas where floodwaters deposited only two to three inches of silt, farmers were advised to mix the sediment with the existing soil. However, where deposits reached two to three feet in depth, scientific interventions are still underway.
“When our soils were damaged due to floods, we presented our assessment to the state government. The Punjab Government supported restoration efforts through the Disaster Management Fund,” Dr Gosal said.
Beyond addressing the aftermath of floods, PAU is also looking towards long-term solutions for Punjab’s water crisis. Dr Gosal strongly advocated the cultivation of spring groundnut (peanut), describing it as a crop with immense potential for crop diversification.
Giving a simple message to farmers — “Moongfali Lao, Khao Te Kamao” (Grow Peanuts, Eat Peanuts and Earn from Peanuts) — he said groundnut cultivation could help reduce Punjab’s dependence on water-intensive crops such as paddy.
“Forty to fifty years ago, groundnut cultivation was common in Punjab. Over time it declined, but we are now seeing encouraging possibilities for its revival,” he said.
PAU has launched pilot projects in Kapurthala district, an area dominated by paddy and potato cultivation. The university initiated spring groundnut cultivation in two to three villages covering nearly 70 acres, aiming to evaluate its performance as a substitute for crops that consume large quantities of water.
The results so far have been promising. According to Dr Gosal, farmers participating in the project have reported minimal pest and disease problems. They have also observed substantial savings on fertiliser costs.
“Farmers tell us they have not needed to apply nitrogen or urea. Groundnut acts like green manure and naturally enriches the soil. It saves money, benefits the environment and supports crop diversification,” he said.
The crop matures in about 90 days when sown during the first week of March, making it suitable for integration into existing farming systems.
Dr Gosal said PAU will continue conducting studies on weed emergence, flood impacts, soil health and alternative cropping systems in partnership with farmers and the state government. The objective is not only to address current challenges but also to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural model for Punjab.
As climate change brings increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, the PAU Vice-Chancellor believes Punjab’s future lies in scientific research, farmer participation and diversification. The lessons emerging from the floods, he said, must be used to prepare the state’s agriculture for the challenges ahead.