HYDERABAD, FEBRUARY 26, 2026: The National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad, Department of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with the Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI), Entomological Society of India (ESI), Indian Ecological Society (IES), Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), and Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS) hosted a three-day National Conference on “Innovations in Plant Health Management for Resilient Agriculture and Agri-Export Promotion (IPHMRA-AEP)” from 26th to 28th February 2026 at its campus in Hyderabad.
The inauguration was held under the chairmanship of Sagar Hanuman Singh, IPoS, Director General, NIPHM, and in the presence of Poonam Jasrotia, ADG PP, ICAR, J. P. Singh, Plant Protection Advisor, DPPQS, GoI, S. N. Puri, Former Vice Chancellor, CAU, Imphal, Sarath Babu, President, PPAI, Sachin S. Suroshe, General Secretary, ESI, A K Dhawan, President, IES and G V Ramana Reddy, President, ISAE-Telangana Chapter.
S. H Singh, DG, NIPHM delivered the welcome address and underlined the need to bring all stakeholders of plant health management, such as scientists, academia, farmers, and industry, on one platform for addressing plant health issues. He also highlighted how the AI can be deployed in addressing the problems in plant protection and promotion of agri exports. Poonam Jasrotia, ADG PP, ICAR addressed the challenges faced in plant health and agri export and highlighted the need for innovative research. Dr. J.P Singh, Plant Protection Advisor to GoI, addressed the importance of the remote diagnostic tools in pest identification and management and the quality control of biopesticides and pesticides. S.N. Puri, Ex-VC, CAU, Imphal, underlined the importance of Natural farming and need to research it. The PPAI, ESI, IES and ISAE expressed the need for training of farmers and finding solution for the problem of spurious pesticides and protection of plant health.
Two Massive open online course (MOOC) on Store Grain Management and Appropriate Pesticide Management Technique were launched for the extension officers, students, academia and other stakeholders.
The conference aims to deliberate on emerging innovations, technologies, and policy frameworks in plant health management that strengthen agricultural resilience and enhance India’s agri-export competitiveness especially in a climate change scenario.. The event brings together Scientists, Policymakers, Academicians, Industry leaders, Agri-entrepreneurs, Exporters, Agri Input Dealers, and Telangana-based progressive farmers. Special sessions were conducted for farmers on digital tools for pest diagnosis and the measures & adoption of IPM for pest control. The event also provides a platform for showcasing innovative technologies developed by ICAR, State Agriculture Universities, NIPHM and the industries for the benefit of farmers and the input dealers through exhibition.
The deliberations will focus on key themes, including: Integrated and Holistic Plant Health Management Strategies, Agro-biodiversity and Soil Health for Enhanced Plant Protection, Advanced Technological Innovations in Plant Health, Biosecurity, Quarantine, and Trade-Safe Agriculture, Capacity Building, Stakeholder Engagement, and Policy for the Future.
The conference programme includes technical sessions, plenary lectures by distinguished experts, panel discussions, poster and oral presentations, industry exhibitions, Agri Input Dealers’ and progressive farmers’ discussion. Scientists, Academicians, Researchers, Industry representatives and stakeholders will participate in technical sessions, panel discussions, interactive forums, industry exhibitions and present research papers during the three-day National Conference.
The recommendations from this National conference will contribute to strengthening plant health systems, enhancing farmers’ income, ensuring food safety, and boosting India’s agri-export potential through improved compliance with international phytosanitary standards. IPHMRA-AEP is expected to serve as a catalyst for Integrated and Holistic Plant Health Management, innovation-driven plant health management and reinforce India’s commitment to resilient agricultural systems, trade safe agriculture with policy for future agriculture.
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