Kolkata, May 14, 2024

Plants are the foundation of our ecosystem, providing us with food, clean air and countless other essential resources. However, they face numerous threats, including pests, diseases and the malice of climate change, which may have devastating consequences for agriculture, biodiversity and human livelihoods. Recognising the significance of the existence of  plants, this year, International Day of Plant Health was celebrated on Sunday, (May 12, 2024) with a theme “Plant health, safe trade and digital technology”.

To mark the importance of this day, the Regional Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (RCIPMC), Kolkata, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage; Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare chalked out concerted programmess like:

1.Organising  a one-day Kishan Ghostis on importance of Plant Health and IPM

2. IPM exhibitions

3. Organising activities involving school children about theme “save plants-save planet”

4. Webinars with Experts

5. Community engagement activities- Organising tree plantation drives; plant health awareness rally/campaigns; social media campaigns.

 

In this connection, the Regional Central Integrated Pest Management Centre, Kolkata, organised a Kishan Ghosti cum IPM exhibition cum experts talk at Deganga, North 24 Parganas. The participants included officials from RCIPMC, Kolkata, APEDA Eastern region, State Agriculture Marketing Department, Agri-exporters, pesticide dealers and progressive farmers.

Dr. Pabel Mazumder, Assistant Director, RCIPMC, Kolkata in his welcome address elaborates the theme which emphasised the importance of digital technology to monitor and manage plant health effectively, thereby ensuring food safety, promoting safe trade practices and supporting sustainable economies and livelihoods. Sh. Priyabrata Mohanta, PPO(WS) discussed safe and judicious use of pesticides and effect of indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture and human health.

Subsequently, other dignitaries discussed topics like: “save plants-save planet”; “Healthy plant means a healthy planet”; “Conserve natural bio-control agents for sustainable agriculture”; “Safe and judicious use of pesticides”; “Plant Quarantine Regulations”.

 

RCIPMC, Kolkata also put on a small exhibition of various cost effective and environment friendly IPM inputs to encourage farmers/ pesticide dealers toward alternatives of chemical pesticides. Various literatures viz; methods of seed treatment, production of Bio-pesticides, 5% NSKE, Concept of IPM, Safe use of pesticides etc. were also distributed.

 

The programme concluded with tree plantation at the venue.

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