Department of Agriculture & Co-operation : Programmes & Schemes

Background

Plant Protection measures are essential to save the crops from ravages of pests and diseases. The Central Directorate on Plant Protection is implementing various programmes to promote latest concepts of plant protection technology.

Central efforts on plant protection are being targeted to popularise environment friendly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. Greater relevance is given to bio-control of pests under the IPM and human resources development.

To save the Indian agriculture from exotic pests and diseases, legislative measures on Plant Quarantine are being enforced through 26 Plant Quarantine Stations located at International Airports, Seaports, Land Frontiers. These Stations also discharge the responsibility of phytosanitary certification to help export of agricultural commodities.

To ensure availability of effective pesticides, a comprehensive Central Legislation – Insecticides Act, 1968 - is being implemented. Central Insecticides Laboratory, Registration Committee, Central Insecticides Board and Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories are the principal wings for implementation of the Act at the Central level.

Locust control in scheduled desert areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat is the Central responsibility. As such, a Locust Warning Organistion with 5 Circles and 23 Outposts with Headquarters at Jodhpur is maintaining constant vigil over an area of 2 lakh sq. km. against any possible incursion from across the borders.

Human resource development in plant protection and various disciplines of pesticides is being achieved by organising regular and short term training programmes at National Plant Protection Training Institute, Hyderabad.

Title :	Promotion of Integrated Pest Management
Type :	Central Sector Scheme
Objectives :	Monitoring/Forewarning of pest disease situation, promotion of biocontrol, conservation of environment and ecosystem and optimize production at minimum cost by way of human resources development.
Salient features :	Popularising IPM approach among state functionaries and farmers by conducting IPM demonstration. Pest surveillance and monitoring vis-à-vis biocontrol agents. Field releases of biocontrol agents reared in labs. Issuing insect/pest & disease situation Bulletins for the benefit of State functionaries and farmers.
Pattern of assistance :	N.A.
Eligibility	N.A.
Procedure to apply :	N.A.
Person to be contacted :	Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, N.H.IV, FARIDABAD – 121 001. (Haryana), India. OR Director, IPM, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, N.H.IV, FARIDABAD – 121 001. (Haryana), India.
Date of Start/Duration:	1992
Implementation Status:	Scheme is being implemented in 21 States & one Union Territory with 26 Centres operating and providing technical know-how in relation to the promotion of Integrated Pest Management.
Additional information:	Nil.

Title :	Implementation of Insecticides Act
Type :	Central Sector Scheme (Plan)
Objectives :	Policy planning and mandatory registration of pesticides as also their licensing at State level; Availability of quality, safe and efficacious pesticides to the farming community; Availability of quality pesticides of vector control, and Supplementing the resources of States/UTs in monitoring quality of pesticides
Salient features :	Secretariat of Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee for registration of pesticides. Central Insecticides Laboratory (CIL) for pre and post registration verification of data on chemistry, bio-efficacy, toxicity and packaging. Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories (RPTLs) including the Coordination Cell at Headquarters for supplementing the resources of States/UTs in monitoring the quality of pesticides.
Pattern of assistance :	100% Central Assistance
Eligibility	Not applicable
Procedure to apply :	Central Plan Scheme
Person to be contacted :	Dr.V.Ragunathan,Director, Central Insecticides Laboratory, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, N.H.IV, Faridabad – 121 001. (Haryana), India Telephone: 91-129-413014 (O) 91-129-413295 (R)
Date of Start/Duration:	Continuing Scheme
Implementation Status:	Continuing Scheme
Additional information:	Nil

Title :	Training in Plant Protection
Type :	Central Sector Scheme
Objectives :	Human Resources Development in Plant Protection Technology by organising long and short duration training courses on different aspects of plant protection.
Salient features :	The Institute has been recognized by FAO of United Nations as a Regional Training Centre for Plant Protection and by World Bank as an advanced Centre for training in Plant Protection Technology. The Institute also imparts training to foreign nationals sponsored through bilateral programmes/FAO/UNDP etc. The Institute has seven faculties viz Entomology, Plant Pathology, Chemistry, Agricultural Engineering, Weed Science, Extension and Application Techniques. Most of faculty staff are highly qualified with Ph.D. Degree in their respective field of specialisation. The Institute has sanctioned staff strength of 109 posts. The Institute has well equipped laboratories of Chemistry, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Agricultural Engineering etc. for conducting different studies/analysis required for practical demonstration to trainees of different courses. Hostel facilities for trainees are available in the Institute campus.
Pattern of assistance :	N.A.
Eligibility	The scheduled training programme of Long and Short duration courses are circulated every year to all States/UTs, Vice-Chancellors, of Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institute/Research Centres etc. For admission of unemployed Agricultural graduates in Post Graduates Diploma Courses in Plant Protection of ten months duration, starting in the month July, advertisements are made in all leading news papers of different languages. In State training programmes are organised on need by State/UTs Deptt. of Agriculture.
Procedure to apply :	Nominations from States/UTs are received from State/UTs for scheduled training programmes. For admission of unemployed Agricultural Graduates, the essential qualification is B.Sc. Agriculture.
Person to be contacted :	1. The Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, N.H.IV, FARIDABAD – 121 001. (Haryana), India. 2. The Director, National Plant Protection Training Institute, Rajendra Nagar,Hyderabad – 500 030 Andhra Pradesh (India) Phone: 91-40-4015346
Date of Start/Duration:	Ongoing Scheme
Implementation Status:	Training courses are to commence as per schedule
Additional information:	Any additional information may be obtained from The Director,National Plant Protection Training Institute, Rajendra Nagar, HYDERABAD – 500030. Andhra Pradesh,INDIA

Title :	Locust Control & Research
Type :	Central Sector Scheme
Objectives :	i) To monitor locust situation by conducting regular surveys over 2.0 lakh sq. km in the Scheduled Desert Area encompassing the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat. ii) To organise control operations for preventing locust plague, as and when necessary.
Salient features :	i) Locust surveillance and monitoring through 5 Circles offices and 23 outposts. ii) Organising control operations against local build ups of locust population and invading locust swarms. iii) Issue of fortnightly locust situation bulletins. iv) Organising Indo-Pak Border Meetings and maintaining wireless contact between Jodhpur and Karachi during June to November. v) Coordinating with locust prone countries and FAO as a part of International Commitment. vi) Participation in International Meetings on Locust and Regional Commission. vii) Conducting field research on locust behaviour, biology and control. vii) Efforts for use of satellite data for locust surveillance and forecasting.
Pattern of assistance :	The State Departments of Agriculture and farmers are benefited through providing training on locust biology behaviour and its control.
Eligibility	N.A.
Procedure to apply :	State Governments can contact Locust Warning Organisation for technical assistance in case there is any locust eventuality.
Person to be contacted :	The Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, N.H.IV, FARIDABAD – 121 001. (Haryana), India. Deputy Director (E), Locust Warning Organisation, Sati Mata Ka Than, Air Force Road, Jodhpur (Rajasthan). Plant Protection Officer (E), Locust Warning Organisation, Uttaralai Road, Barmer (Rajasthan), Pin Code – 344 001. Plant Protection Officer (E), Locust Warning Organisation, Near R.T.O. Check Post, Ambaji Road,, Palanpur Gujarat – 385 001. Plant Protection Officer (E), Locust Warning Organisation, Near Earth Satellite Centre, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Pin Code 345001.
Date of Start/Duration:	1939
Implementation Status:	On going Scheme since 1939
Additional information:	Nil

Title :	Strengthening and Modernisation of Plant Quarantine Facilities in India
Type :	Central Sector Scheme
Objectives :	i) Prevention of the entry of exotic pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes, etc. in the country by regulating the import of plants/plant materials ii) Export certification and issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates in pursuance to the provisions of International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), 1951 of the FAO. iii) Organization of technical service/surveillance for development of PRA information, international standards and identification of pest free areas, etc.
Salient features :	It is a statutory Scheme for implementing the provisions of Destructive Insects & Pests Act (DIP Act), 1914 and The Plants, Fruits & Seeds (Regulation of Import into India) Order (PFS Order) 1989 issued thereunder
Pattern of assistance:	Not applicable
Eligibility:	Not applicable
Procedure to apply :	Inspection of Plants & Plant Material as per provisions of DIP Act and PFS Order 1989
Person to be contacted:	The Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, N.H.IV, FARIDABAD – 121 001. (Haryana), India.
Date of Start/Duration:	1949
Implementation Status:	Being implemented through 26 Plant Quarantine & Fumigation Stations.
Additional information	Nil