Dr. J. P. Singh

India has the second largest arable land of 156.06 million ha. and ranks second worldwide in farm output. More than 50% of Indian population is dependent on agriculture for livelihood and contributes approximately 18.8% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) at current prices during 2021-22. India is the world's largest producer of banana, mango, guava, papaya, lemon, okra, chilli, ginger and jute. India is also the largest producer of pulses & second largest producer of wheat and rice. Indian Agriculture is not only meeting the food security needs of its own population but also supporting several agriculture-based industries.

Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS) was established in the year 1946 on the recommendation of the Wood Head Commission, appointed by the Government of British India in 1944 to investigate the 1943 Bengal famine. The main objective of the Directorate is to act as an Apex organization for advising the Union Government and State Governments on all the matters related to Plant Protection.

Directorate is operating through different divisions with specific objectives such as effective implementation of Integrated Pest Management, Plant Quarantine, pesticide's registration, quality control of pesticide, Locust Control & Research, Pesticides Monitoring & Documentation, etc.

India has the largest plant protection network of inter-governmental organizations encompassing Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Agricultural Departments of States and UTs, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Accredited Private Personnel, etc. to protect its biosecurity and to achieve sustainable food production.

Directorate develops crop & pest specific package of practices on Agro Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) based integrated pest management, guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures & National Standards related to pesticide registration, monitoring & testing protocol, phytosanitary treatments, inspection & certification, Pest Free Areas (PFAs) and make them available to all stakeholders by uploading on website. Directorate implement digital India by issuance of pesticide registration & phytosanitary certificate online.

Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 issued under the aegis of the Destructive Insects and Pests Act (DIP Act.), 1914 is operational to protect Indian fauna from the ravages of exotic pests. India is a signatory member country of International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). DPPQS is the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of India. It undertakes all phytosanitary responsibilities for export of Agriculture commodities by providing technical inputs to get foreign market access, phytosanitary inspection, treatment, certification etc. to promote safe trade.

Directorate in liaison with States monitors and issue forewarning and undertake control operations of desert locust in the Scheduled Desert Area. Also conducts research on locust and grasshoppers, and organise various HRD programs on training and demonstration to promote IPM in the country. Directorate through implementation of Insecticides Act 1968 and Insecticides Rule 1971 is ensuring the availability of safe, quality & effective pesticides to the Indian farmers. It develops human resource in plant protection technology by imparting training amongst farmers, Agriculture extension officials and Agri input dealers on Agroecosystem Analysis based integrated pest management (IPM) and promote alternate management measures such as cultural, biological, mechanical and safe & judicious use of RC approved pesticides. Also conducts pest surveillance in important crops and issue advisories & forewarning to avert any possible pest epidemic besides coordinating efforts at the National, Regional and International level through various Organizations on issues related to plant protection.

Directorate in collaboration with ICAR, SAU & States strengthen the process of early detection of pest incidence, availabilities of effective PP measures, human resource development and utilize advanced IT tools to minimize crop losses due to pests for the benefit of the farming community and agriculture based industries. Directorate facilities safe agricultural export through effective phytosanitary Certification system, issuance of electronic PSC, up-gradation of phytosanitary inspection facilities at International level, accreditation of pack houses and processing units and is playing a pivotal role in order to achieve various goals like doubling of farmers income, Make in India, Generation of employment, promoting Agricultural Export, Digital India, Ease of doing business and Ease of Living.

(Dr. J. P. Singh)
Plant Protection Adviser