ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru Organises Training for KSDA Officials on Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents and Compatible Technologies for Sustainable Pest Management

5–7 August 2026, Bengaluru

ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru, organized a three-day training programme on “Mass Production of Biocontrol Agents and Compatible Technologies for Insect Pest Management” from 5 to 7 August 2026 at its Hebbal campus.

Sponsored by the Karnataka State Department of Agriculture (KSDA), Government of Karnataka, the programme aimed to strengthen the technical capacity of agricultural officials in the production and utilization of biocontrol agents and other sustainable, non-chemical pest management technologies.

The programme was inaugurated on 5 August by Sri Venkatarama Reddy J. Patil, Director, Directorate of Secondary Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, as the Chief Guest.

In his inaugural address, Sri Venkatarama Reddy J. Patil emphasized the need to promote biological control on a larger scale across Karnataka. He stressed the importance of strengthening existing biocontrol laboratories and establishing new mass production units to ensure the availability of quality biocontrol agents to farmers.

Dr T. Venkatesan, Director, ICAR-NBAIR, highlighted the significance of biocontrol agents in sustainable insect pest management and emphasized ICAR-NBAIR’s expertise in developing and promoting non-chemical pest management technologies.

The technical sessions provided participants with comprehensive exposure to the theoretical and practical aspects of mass production, including procedures and protocols for producing macrobial and microbial biocontrol agents.

The training concluded with a valedictory programme on 7 August, with Dr G. T. Puthra, Director, KSDA, as the Chief Guest and Smt. Deepaja, Joint Director of Agriculture, KSDA, as the Guest of Honour. The session was presided over by Dr T. Venkatesan, Director, ICAR-NBAIR.

Addressing the participants, Dr G. T. Puthra emphasized the need to effectively utilize the knowledge gained during the training to strengthen existing biocontrol laboratories and establish new mass production units in accordance with farmers’ requirements. Smt. Deepaja called upon the trainees to demonstrate greater commitment towards promoting biological control across Karnataka. Certificates of successful completion were distributed to the participants.

The training is expected to enhance the technical capabilities of agricultural officers and facilitate the wider adoption of biological control and other sustainable, non-chemical pest management technologies across Karnataka, contributing to environmentally responsible and sustainable insect pest management.

Around 20 Assistant Directors of Agriculture and Agricultural Officers from various districts of Karnataka participated in the training.

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