The Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI), a prominent scientific research body in the country’s agriculture sector, is set to host an international conference on plant health management, innovations, and sustainability for four days starting tomorrow at the Telangana State Agricultural University Auditorium.
Dr. B. Sarath Babu, the President of PPAI, emphasized the critical importance of plant health care and management in crop cultivation. A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations revealed that crop yields worldwide are reduced by 20 to 40 percent annually due to pests and diseases.
Addressing the increasing threat of pests and insects causing severe damage to crops, the conference will focus on effectively preventing and controlling their impact in crop cultivation, with plant health management and innovation as its primary theme.
The State Agriculture Secretary and In-charge Vice-Chancellor M. Raghunandana Rao will inaugurate the conference, with the participation of key figures such as Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sarada Jayalakshmi Devi, Indian Agricultural Research Council Plant Protection ADG Dr. Suneet Chandra Dubey, Dhanuka Agritech Limited Chairman RS Agarwal, and Sri Biotech Aesthetics Chairman KRK Reddy.
The conference, marking PPAI’s 50th anniversary, will include the unveiling of a special postal cover and postage bills. Notable figures such as Norman Borlaug Award Winner Dr. Swathinayak, Indonesia’s Dr. Michael, and other national and international experts are expected to participate, with around 500 attendees. The event will recognize scientists with awards and fellowships for their outstanding contributions in various fields.
Organizational support for the conference is provided by Angro, PJTSAU, and NIPAM. Dr. Jella Satyanarayana, Technical Committee Chairman, along with Dr. C. Narendra Reddy, Dr. TVK Singh, Dr. Katti, Dr. Y. Sridhar, and others, participated in a media conference to provide details about the upcoming event.
