Dates: 20th December 2024

Venue: Conference Hall, NIPHM, Hyderabad, Telangana

Time: 10:00 AM BDT

The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), in collaboration with EUPHRESCO III, organized a pivotal Stakeholder Consultation on Plant Health Challenges in South & South East Asia. The meeting aimed to address pressing plant health issues in the region and explore collaborative solutions through partnerships and networking opportunities.

The consultation was attended by around 50 representatives, including officials from NIPHM, ICAR institutes, state agricultural universities, APEDA Hyderabad, PQS Shamshabad, and industry leaders from the agrochemical, biological, and seed sectors. The Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI) and NIPHM served as key knowledge partners and organizers for the event.

The day began with a visit to NIPHM’s laboratories by Dr. Baldissera Giovani from EUPHRESCO III, Dr. Paul Taylor, Dr. K. S. Varaprasad from APAARI, along with representatives from PPAI, APEDA Hyderabad, and PQS Shamshabad, offered a firsthand look at the institute’s plant health management facilities.

Key Highlights from the Technical Session:

• Insect Pests: The prevalence of insect pests, including fruit flies and stored grain insects, were discussed as major concerns. The critical need to reduce pest populations to below economic thresholds was emphasized, alongside the biosecurity threats at border points. Reliance on chemical pesticides was flagged as an ongoing issue due to a lack of high-quality alternatives like biofertilizers and biocontrol agents.
• Emerging Plant Pathogens: The rise of new plant pathogens and their impact on agriculture was highlighted. Significant pest incidences such as white-backed planthopper, black thrips, wheat blast, and Bt cotton pest resistance were discussed, along with the gaps in pest surveillance caused by changing climate and environmental challenges.
• Aflatoxin Contamination: Aflatoxin contamination in crops was identified as a growing threat, linked to challenges in pest management and the need for stronger regulatory measures to control residue levels in crops.
• Post-Entry Quarantine Hurdles: Challenges in post-entry quarantine procedures, particularly regarding plant health inspections and pest management, were flagged. Gaps in pest risk assessment, including the lack of crop-specific pest risk assessments and the need for better-equipped seed testing laboratories and phytosanitary certification infrastructure, were also discussed.
• Diagnostic Protocols: The need for improved diagnostic protocols to detect quarantine pests was emphasized to enhance biosecurity measures. Biocontrol measures were considered essential, along with the creation of a national hub for drone applications to aid in pest diagnostics.
• Seed Export and Re-Export: Challenges related to seed export and re-export were discussed, particularly the need to address food production constraints and biotic and abiotic stresses on plants. Frameworks like the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) and Pesticide Impact Index (PII) were proposed to assess the implications of pesticide use in export processes.
• Production Challenges: Production challenges in key crops like rice, maize, cotton, and millets were discussed, particularly in relation to pest and disease management. Issues such as post-flowering stalk rot, maize lethal necrosis, tar spot complex, stem borers, plant hoppers, sheath blight, and pests in millets like fall armyworm and shoot fly were highlighted.
• Quality Product Exports: Raising awareness about quality product exports and overcoming trade-related barriers to promote agricultural sustainability in the region was emphasized. Challenges associated with invasive alien species, pests introduced through commercial shipping, and the lack of stringent regulations and enforcement mechanisms were also discussed.

• Quality Product Exports: Experts stressed the importance of raising awareness about quality product exports and overcoming trade-related barriers to promote agricultural sustainability in the region.

Key Speakers:

Dr. Ravi Khetarpal, Executive Director, APAARI
Dr. K S Varaprasad, APAARI, Thailand
Mr Baldissera Giovani, Co-ordinator (Euphresco III)
Dr. Paul Taylor, Technical Coordinator, APAARI
Dr. Sagar Hanuman Singh, DG, NIPHM
Dr. Sarath Babu, President, PPAI
Dr J P Singh, Plant Protection Adviser to Government of India
Dr Poonam Jasrotia , Assistant Director General (PP& Biosafety)
Dr T V K Singh, Ex Dean of Agriculture, PJTSAU
Dr Gururaj Katti, Ex Head of Crop Protection Division, ICAR-IIRR
Dr Y G Prasad, Director, ICAR-CICR
Dr I K Das, ICAR-IIMR
Dr B M Prasanna, Maize Programme Director, CIMMYT
Dr. C. Alice R P Sujeetha, Director (Plant Biosecurity)
Dr Laxman Saravanan, OIC, ICAR-NBPGR Hyderabad
Dr. Narayan Reddy, APMA
Dr Venkatesh Devanur, AgLife
Dr. Surya Rao, Syngenta