Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, has achieved a remarkable milestone with its All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) Centre on Biological Control of Crop Pests being recognized as the Best Performing AICRP Centre for the year 2024–2025. The prestigious honor was awarded during the Annual General Meeting of the AICRP on Biological Control of Crop Pests, held on June 20, 2025, at Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat. The award was presented by Dr. Poonam Jasrotia, Assistant Director General (Plant Protection & Biosafety), ICAR, and Dr. S.N. Sushil, Director of ICAR–NBAIR, Bengaluru.
The event witnessed the presence of over 70 scientists from across the country, along with Dr. Bidyut Chandan Deka, Vice Chancellor of AAU. Dr. D.K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, also addressed the gathering virtually.
Dr. Subhash Chander Verma, Principal Investigator of the centre, shared that the AICRP Centre has been operational in the Department of Entomology at UHF Nauni since 1985 and has made remarkable progress in the area of biological pest and disease management. The university's biocontrol laboratory is equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced facilities to support cutting-edge research and development.
The centre conducts extensive work in the survey, collection, and identification of natural enemies of pests, including coccinellids, syrphids, and parasitoids. Currently, it maintains five species of egg parasitoids (Trichogramma spp.), a species of anthocorid bug (Blaptostethus pallescens), a predatory mite (Neoseiulus longispinosus), along with microbial agents such as Metarhizium anisopliae (NBAIR strain) and Beauveria bassiana throughout the year.
In addition to its research activities, the centre has been actively engaged in promoting eco-friendly pest management practices, particularly in the tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh. During 2024–25, it conducted four training programmes in the Bharmour and Spiti regions to raise awareness on biological control strategies. Several research papers from the centre have also been published in reputed peer-reviewed journals over the past year.
Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vice Chancellor of the university, expressed his appreciation for the team’s dedication and contribution. Congratulating Dr. Subhash Chander Verma (PI), Dr. Vishav Gaurav Singh Chandel (Co-PI), and Dr. Narender Bharat (pathologist associated with the project), he said, “This recognition is a testament to the team’s consistent efforts and commitment to sustainable agriculture. It reinforces our resolve to advance eco-friendly pest management solutions through scientific excellence and community engagement.”
Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Director of Research, along with all statutory officers and staff of the university, congratulated the Biological Control team on this commendable achievement.
