Srinagar | February 28, 2026
The Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, has called for a major shift in India’s plant protection strategy—from reactive pest control practices to an intelligence-driven, predictive plant health management system. He emphasized that such a transformation is essential to safeguard the country’s agricultural economy and ensure long-term resilience.
Prof. Ganai delivered the keynote address on the opening day of the National Conference on “Innovations in Plant Health Management for Resilient Agriculture and Agri-Export Promotion.” The three-day conference, organized by the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) from February 26–28, 2026, brought together leading scientists, researchers, and policymakers to address emerging biological risks in agriculture.
Rising Production, Rising Threats
In his address, Prof. Ganai highlighted India’s remarkable agricultural achievements, noting that the country has surpassed 330 million tonnes in food grain production and 369 million tonnes in horticulture output. However, he cautioned that a significant portion of these gains is being undermined by pests and diseases.
Citing global scientific estimates, he stated that between 20% and 40% of crops are lost annually due to biological stresses. Even conservative domestic figures indicate substantial economic losses, alongside ecological costs such as wasted irrigation water, fertilizers, energy, and farmers’ hard work.
He warned that traditional plant protection systems—often based on fixed spray schedules—are no longer adequate to combat evolving threats. Pests are becoming more mobile, adaptable, and resistant to conventional chemical controls, necessitating smarter and more adaptive strategies.
Call for National Integrated Plant Health Intelligence Mission
Prof. Ganai strongly advocated for the full operationalisation of the National Integrated Plant Health Intelligence Mission (NIPHIM) to modernize India’s plant health systems. He proposed a transition to:
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Data-driven pest surveillance
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Risk-based advisories
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Targeted and precision interventions
He emphasized the need to build a digital pest surveillance grid supported by smart traps, drones, and real-time monitoring systems. Integrating climate-linked forecasting models would enable early prediction of pest emergence and spread, allowing farmers and authorities to act proactively rather than reactively.
The Vice Chancellor clarified that the objective is not to eliminate plant protection measures but to make them more precise, efficient, and environmentally responsible. Such an approach would reduce pesticide dependence, slow resistance development, and help Indian agricultural produce meet stringent international residue standards—boosting agri-exports.
Special Focus on Climate-Sensitive Regions
Prof. Ganai pointed out that climate-sensitive and temperate agro-ecosystems like those in Jammu and Kashmir require customized surveillance and advisory systems. The region’s unique horticultural profile demands tailored plant health strategies aligned with local climatic and ecological conditions.
He stressed that building resilient agriculture in such areas will require localized intelligence networks capable of anticipating region-specific pest outbreaks.
Launch of MOOC on Safe Pesticide Application
During the inaugural session, Prof. Ganai also formally launched a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on “Appropriate Pesticide Application Techniques.” The course aims to educate practitioners, extension workers, and farmers on safer, more efficient pesticide usage practices.
This initiative aligns with the broader goal of promoting responsible chemical use, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring food safety compliance in both domestic and export markets.
The address received widespread appreciation from scientists and policymakers attending the conference, who described it as a timely roadmap for addressing emerging biological risks in Indian agriculture.
Exploring Research Collaboration with ICRISAT
Following the conference session, Prof. Ganai, accompanied by entomology experts Prof. Sajad Mohiuddin and Prof. Abu Manzar, visited the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
The delegation held detailed discussions with Director General Dr. Himanshu Pathak and his team to explore collaborative research opportunities. The talks focused on mitigating agricultural challenges under evolving climate and trade scenarios, particularly in developing joint strategies for invasive pest surveillance.
This potential collaboration aims to strengthen early-warning systems and benefit farmers in the Kashmir Valley and across India, ensuring that plant health remains a strong pillar of national food security and trade competitiveness.
Toward a Predictive and Resilient Agricultural Future
Prof. Ganai’s call for intelligence-driven prediction-based pest management signals a decisive step toward modernizing India’s plant health framework. By leveraging data analytics, digital surveillance, climate forecasting, and precision technologies, India can significantly reduce crop losses while promoting environmentally sustainable practices.
As agricultural production continues to grow, ensuring resilient plant health systems will be crucial to protecting farmer incomes, conserving natural resources, and strengthening India’s position in global agri-markets.
