Shivraj Singh Chouhan Urges Scientists to Advance Bio-Control for Pest Management

Quick Summary

• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the ICAR-national Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) in Bengaluru on Friday.
• He expressed concern over the indiscriminate use of pesticides leading to environmental pollution and soil health degradation.
• The Minister emphasized encouraging bio-control measures using parasitoids, predators, and entomopathogens for sustainable pest management.
• Emerging pests such as pink bollworm in Bt cotton were highlighted as a challenge needing attention.
• Mr. Chouhan pledged support to scientists promoting bio-control pest management methods and celebrated their contributions to sustainable agriculture practices.
• S.N. Sushil, Director of ICAR-NBAIR, presented details about the National Insect Museum which houses over 4.1 lakh preserved specimens and India’s richest live insect repository with 137 species/strains aiding research in biological control.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Union Minister’s call for advancing bio-control methods reflects increasing awareness of pesticide-related ecological issues. Reducing reliance on chemical pesticides aligns with India’s push toward sustainability in agriculture-a pressing need given challenges like declining soil fertility and emerging pests such as pink bollworm affecting vital crops like Bt cotton.

The ICAR-NBAIR’s role as a hub for biological innovation positions it prominently within efforts aimed at integrating environmentally responsible practices into traditional farming systems. Its extensive repository underscores India’s scientific capabilities in tackling pest-related complexities while maintaining biodiversity standards outlined under national laws like the Biological Diversity Act,2002.

For farmers grappling with crop losses due to resistant pests or degraded soil conditions caused by chemical misuse, these biocontrol initiatives may offer practical solutions that are both eco-friendly and effective long-term.Engagement across farmer-scientist networks is key here-laying groundwork for better-informed agricultural practices nationwide.

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