Nauni researcher wins award for work on bio-control agents

Anshuman Semwal, a researcher from the Department of Entomology, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, won the Best Oral Presentation Award at a three-day national conference organised at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur recently.

The prestigious conference, centred on the theme ‘Advances in Sustainable Plant Protection in the Changing Agricultural Scenario’, was organised by the Entomological Research Association. The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, was the chief guest in the inaugural session which witnessed the participation of leading agricultural scientists, researchers and academicians from across the country, including Dr SN Sushil, Director, National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources; Dr JP Singh, Director, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage and Dr SK Sharma, Assistant Director General, ICAR. The conference facilitated in-depth deliberations on the changing landscape of Indian agriculture and sustainable solutions for plant protection.

In his presentation, Anshuman Semwal showcased his research on the biological control of the cabbage white butterfly, a major pest of cabbage crops. He highlighted how the pest can be effectively managed using natural enemies (bio-control agents) without relying on harmful chemical pesticides. His research was carried out under the guidance of Dr PL Sharma, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag; Dr Subhash Verma, Head of Department; and Dr VGS Chandel. Scientists and subject experts attending the conference lauded Anshuman’s research and presentation.