Regulations on imported plant material must to curb pests: Experts

Tribune News Service

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Solan, May 5

Proper management of diseases and effective regulations for imported planting material are crucial to check the entry of quarantine pests. This was stated by Dr PK Chakrabarty, member, Agricultural Scientist Research Board, during the inaugural session of the two-day national symposium on ‘Plant Health Management Beyond 2020’, which began today at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni.

Organised by the Department of Plant Pathology, in association with the Himalayan Phytopathological Society, it was attended on online and offline mode by eminent scientists from more than 20 reputed institutes.

Dr PK Chakrabarty stressed on recommended use of pesticides in crops, as more than 85 per cent were used without registration for specific yields. “This can adversely affect the exports of agricultural produce from India. Students must be made aware of the molecular techniques to avoid indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides,” he said.

Dr Parvinder Kaushal, Vice-Chancellor, emphasised adopting precision agriculture that uses information technology, besides nanotechnology, IT and Artificial Intelligence. “Production of safe and quality food with emphasis on eco-friendly methods of disease management is a major challenge in Indian agriculture,” he said.

He urged the scientists to be vigilant on emerging disease problems in horticultural and forestry crops and provide ready-to-use effective technologies.

Dr HR Gautam, head of department of plant pathology and president of the society, said, “Agriculture sector needs an infusion of new technologies to move to the next level of farm productivity and profitability. While the first Green Revolution came with genetic modification, precision agriculture, which consists of the precision application of inputs, when and where these are needed, has become the third wave of the modern agricultural revolution.”

Dr Pramod Prasad, scientist, Regional Station of ICAR IIWBR, was bestowed with the Young Scientist Award for his research efforts in wheat.

Dr RL Munjal Best PhD Thesis Award was presented to Dr Ashish Janraoji Warghane, Mandsaur University, for his work on citrus items during his doctorate.