PREAMBLE

Agriculture is facing unprecedented challenges from climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and the increasing demand for food and nutritional security. Erratic weather patterns and rising temperatures are intensifying biotic stresses, making plant health a critical component of climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture. Recent advances in genomics, biotechnology, biological control, precision agriculture, and digital tools are transforming agriculture including plant health management. These next-generation strategies offer effective and eco-friendly solutions to reduce crop losses, enhance productivity, and strengthen food security. The National Symposium on “Next-Generation Plant Health Strategies for Climate Resilience, Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture” will be held on 22–23 October 2026 at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Bemloi, Shimla. It will provide a platform for scientists, academicians, policymakers, industry representatives, and students to share innovations and deliberate on emerging challenges in plant health management. The symposium is expected to foster scienti_ic collaboration and generate actionable strategies to promote resilient agricultural systems, ensure food security, and advance sustainable agriculture.

About Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS)   

The Indian Phytopathological Society (IPS) is a premier professional body dedicated to the advancement of Plant Pathology and plant health management. Established on 28 February 1947 at the then Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, the Society has emerged as one of the world’s largest associations of plant pathologists, with members from more than 50 countries. Its membership includes scientists, academicians, extension personnel, students, technicians, and industry professionals. IPS promotes scientific exchange and capacity building in plant health sciences through its official journal, Indian Phytopathology published by Springer Nature, along with national and international conferences, symposia, and seminars. The Society provides a global platform for disseminating recent advances in plant disease research and sustainable plant health management across agricultural, horticultural, forestry, and urban ecosystems. The IPS Zonal Chapters play an important role in strengthening regional collaboration, mentoring young researchers, and encouraging scientific excellence through academic competitions, oral and poster presentations, and merit awards at zonal and national levels.  (Read More.....)

About Indian Potato Association (IPA)

Indian Potato Association (IPA) was established in 1974 with its Headquarters at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The Association has six zones each of which is headed by a Vice-President and is supported by four councillors. This is the only scientific association in the country where the farmers outnumber the scientists. The association is dedicated to advance the cause of potato research and development by fostering regional and international co-operation, holding periodical conferences, symposia, workshops, brain storming sessions, trainings etc., promote exchange of scientific knowledge among potato stakeholders. To encourage excellence in potato research, the Association confers awards such as Ramanujam Memorial Award Lecture, IPA-Kaushalya Sikka Memorial Award, IPA-Chandra Prabha Singh Young Scientist Award, IPA Medal for the Best Paper published in the Potato Journal, Best Poster Award, Grower of the Year Award. (Read More.....)

About Indian Society of Plant Pathologists (INSOPP)

The Indian Society of Plant Pathologists (INSOPP) was established in May 1984 and registered on 19 October 1984 under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. Headquartered at the Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, the society is dedicated to promoting research, education, and extension in plant pathology, including mycology, bacteriology, virology, nematology, and allied disciplines. INSOPP advances plant health science through the publication of its journal, Plant Disease Research, and serves as a national forum for scientists to exchange ideas on current issues in plant pathology research, teaching, and extension. Since its inception, the society has organized national symposia and seminars at leading agricultural universities and research institutions across India, including Haryana Agricultural University, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, and Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, and University of Mysore, Mysuru, Karnataka. The most recent annual meeting of INSOPP was held at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, on 20–21 November 2025. Guided by the leadership of several distinguished plant pathologists over the years, the society continues to promote excellence in plant health research. (Read More.....)

About Himalayan Phytopathological Society (HPS)

The Himalayan Phytopathological Society was established in 2017 by the Department of Plant Pathology and registered under the Societies Registration Act, 2006 (Registration No. PSH/16/892/2018 dated 31.12.2018). The Society promotes research, communication, and sustainable disease management strategies for crops of the Himalayan and adjoining regions. The Society regularly organizes workshops, symposia, guest lectures, farmer–scientist interactions, and training programmes, besides publishing the e-magazine Technology Notes for technology dissemination. Since its inception, it has organized several national and international events on plant health management, including conferences in collaboration with International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, and CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya. To encourage excellence in plant pathology, the Society confers awards such as the Dr. R.L. Munjal Best Ph.D. Thesis Award, Young Scientist Award, Innovative Farmer Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award. (Read More.....)

About ICAR-IARI Regional Station, Shimla

The ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute Regional Station was established in its present form on 1 April 2005 through the merger of the Cereals Breeding Centre, Tutikandi, and the Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Dhanda, with administrative and laboratory facilities located at Amartara Campus. The cereal research programme, initiated in 1935 under the leadership of Kailas Chandra Mehta and Benjamin Peary Pal, has made significant contributions to wheat and barley improvement for the North-Western Himalayan region. The station has developed 19 wheat and 9 barley varieties for commercial cultivation, besides registering 24 genetic stocks possessing valuable agronomic traits. The horticultural research programme, established on 19 October 1965, focuses on the collection, conservation, and evaluation of temperate fruit germplasm. The station has developed two apple varieties, one apple rootstock, one walnut variety, and one stone-fruit rootstock. It has also contributed significantly to integrated disease management strategies for cereals and temperate fruits, emphasizing disease diagnosis and precise pathogen identification. The station continues to support sustainable agriculture in the Northern Hill Region through research, innovation, and technology dissemination. (Read More.....)