DDG (CS) ICAR inaugurated the XXXI Annual Review Meeting of All India Coordinated Research Project on Biological Control of Crop Pests

20 – 21 October 2022, Bengaluru, Karnataka

The ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru organized the XXXI Annual Review Meeting of All India Coordinated Research Project on Biological Control of Crop Pests.

Deputy Director General (Crop Science) Dr Tilak Raj Sharma inaugurated XXXI Annual Review Meeting of  AICRP BC

Dr SN Sushil, Director, ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru & Project Coordinator, AICRP on Biological control of Crop Pests welcomed the dignitaries and participants. He highlighted research projects for the period 2021-22, which included the development, validation and commercialisation of promising bioagents, and area covered through the adoption of biocontrol modules. He also presented the monitoring and management of the recent invasive pests and preparedness to tackle the invasive attacks.

Deputy Director General (Crop Science) Dr Tilak Raj Sharma released AICRP BC Annual Report 2021 and  Biocontrol product developed under AICRP on Biological Control

Deputy Director General (Crop Science) Dr Tilak Raj Sharma, ICAR, New Delhi inaugurated the workshop and appreciated the progress made in the project. He stressed upon the need of concentrating the basic studies on the biological control with special emphasis on rhizosphere biology and the interaction between the rhizosphere and biocontrol agents. He urged to strengthen the public private partnership to test, validate, mass produce  and register the potential biocontrol products. He highlighted the importance of generating molecular signatures for the promising bioagents and depositing the same in recognised nodal centres. He mentioned that more concentration has to be given to develop climate resilient biocontrol agents like temperature tolerant, drought tolerant, etc.

Registrar, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Dr Basave Gowda mentioned about the integration of biocontrol in natural farming to avoid the usage of chemicals and insecticides. He also spoke on doubling farmer’s income involving quality biocontrol agents.

Dr SC Dubey, Assistant Director General (Plant Protection & Biosafety)  stressed upon  the need of  stringent and scientific proven procedures for survey and surveillance of crop pests and their natural enemies. He emphasized to develop measures to conserve the natural enemies of crop pests and diseases for better utilization. He also pointed out that AICRP on Biological Control should involve other plant protection institutes like ICAR-NCIPM for conducting large scale demonstrations.

Programme Advisory and Monitoring Committee members Dr H C Sharma, Dr H B Singh and  former Directors of ICAR-NBAIR Dr N K Krishna kumar, Dr Abraham Verghese, Dr Chandish R Ballal, Dr N Bakthavatsalam and senior retired biocontrol workers Dr T M Manjunath, Dr M Mani actively participated in the review meeting. Around 100 scientists and 10 company representatives from different parts of the country participated in the XXXI AICRP on Biological Control Annual Review Meeting. During the valedictory session, the finalised recommendations of technical sessions were presented. Dr G Sivakumar, Principal Scientist & In charge, AICRP BC PC cell proposed the vote of thanks.

(Source:  ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru)