ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru celebrates Foundation day

19^th October 2022, Bengaluru

The ICAR - National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR), Bengaluru celebrated its 30^th foundation day at its farm campus, Yelahanka today.

Dr T.R. Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, New Delhi was the chief guest and was the guest of honour on the occasion. The Chief Guest, Dr T.R. Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) lauded the great contributions made by the past and present employees of ICAR-NBAIR for fulfilling for "P's such as publications, products, patents and partnerships. He urged to fix short, medium and long term goals in each research projects. He exhorted that continuity in research projects, constant funding and innovative thinking are must for achieving greater goals and fulfilling the Institute mandate. 

The Guest of Honour, Dr S.C. Dubey, Assistant Director General (PP&BS) urged to further strengthen research in GPS based biodiversity survey and novel biopesticide formulations and greater networking with other Institutes.

Earlier, Dr S.N. Sushil, Director, ICAR-NBAIR, he highlighted the role played by NBAIR in biointensive management of whitegrubs, maize fall armyworm, pod borers, sucking pests etc., by employing suitable predators, parasitoids, pheromones and formulations of entomopathogens. He briefed about the NBAIR's role in importation and introduction of three species of biocontrol wasps from USDA, USA during 2009, that has resulted in spectacular control of papaya mealybug on papaya, mulberry and in several other crops with saving of billions of rupees and preservation of environment.

"Bee Home" and "Black Soldier Fly Mass Production Unit" at the farm campus were inaugurated by the dignitaries. They also released four publications (on insect biocontrol agents and invasive pests) and launched an online database on agriculturally important fruit fly pests.

The National Insect Museum souvenir shop and NBAIR produced pure honey product named "Samrudha Honey" were also launched on the occasion.

IOn the occasion, the chief guest felicitated the former directors of ICAR-NBAIR, eminent entomologists, innovative farmers, the best performing start-ups and entrepreneurs in the fields of insect biological control. The best workers under various categories of the NBAIR staff were also felicitated for their significant contributions during 2021-22.  

More than 200 participants including all the staff members of ICAR-NBAIR and other Institutions took part in the event both online and offline.

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