Plant Protection Industry Meet Organized at ICAR–IARI

29 October 2025, New Delhi

The School of Plant Protection, ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, organized a one-day IARI Industry Meet on ‘Innovations and Partnerships for Sustainable Plant Protection’ at the Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Library today. The event brought together leading experts from IARI and representatives from major agro-industries to explore opportunities for collaboration in plant protection research, education, extension, and technology development.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chairperson, ASRB, New Delhi, and co-chaired by Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Prof. Anupam Verma, INSA Senior Scientist and Former Dean, ICAR–IARI, graced the occasion as the Guests of Honour.

In his Chairman’s Address, Dr. Sanjay Kumar emphasized the significance of robust academia–industry partnerships to address emerging plant protection challenges. He highlighted the need for shared goals and joint implementation strategies to achieve impactful outcomes at the grassroots level.

Prof. Anupam Verma underscored the importance of strengthening ICAR-IARI’s association with industries to ensure effective translation of research outcomes into field applications.

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, in his remarks, reiterated ICAR-IARI’s commitment to accelerating research, innovation, and education through direct industry collaboration under a renewed institutional framework.

The technical session, chaired by Dr. Srinivasa Rao, featured presentations by Joint Directors, Heads of Plant Protection Divisions, and the In-charge of the ZTM Unit on ICAR-IARI’s strengths, needs, and expectations in research, education, and extension. Industry representatives deliberated on potential collaboration areas, including regulatory frameworks, policy engagement, precision crop protection, agrochemicals, bio-products, biological control, and commercialization pathways.

A panel discussion focused on strengthening linkages for technology development, CSR-supported research partnerships, student placements, entrepreneurship, and co-development of sustainable plant protection technologies. A brainstorming session further facilitated structured dialogue on emerging challenges and opportunities in crop health management.

The event also featured a poster session, where IARI postgraduate students presented their ongoing research before industry professionals, fostering academia–industry interaction and exposure.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Srinivasa Rao reaffirmed ICAR–IARI’s commitment to advancing “Lab to Land to Market” pathways through innovation-driven cooperation with the private sector.

The meet marked a significant step toward building long-term academia–industry partnerships aimed at enhancing crop productivity, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat, and ensuring national food security through sustainable plant protection solutions.

The meet witnessed participation from 40 representatives across 29 agro-industries, along with scientists from various IARI divisions.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi)