SHIMLA 21 October, 2026
ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI), Shimla, will host a two-day National Symposium on “Next-Generation Plant Health Strategies for Climate Resilience, Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture” on October 22–23, 2026. The event will bring together eminent scientists, agricultural experts, academicians, researchers, students and industry representatives from across the country to deliberate on emerging challenges in plant health and innovative strategies for climate-resilient agriculture.
Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Convenor & Head, Plant Protection mentioned that the symposium is being jointly organised by the Indian Phytopathological Society (North Zone), Indian Potato Association, Shimla, Indian Society of Plant Pathologists, Ludhiana, Himalayan Phytopathological Society, Solan, and ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute Regional Station, Shimla. He told that Dr. S. S. Chahal, former Vice-Chancellor of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, will grace the inaugural session as Chief Guest. Dr. Swarup Kumar Chakrabarti, former Vice-Chancellor of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, and Dr. H. S. Baweja, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, will attend as Guests of Honour.
With climate change intensifying the incidence of emerging plant diseases and threatening agricultural productivity, the symposium assumes particular significance for India’s agricultural sustainability and food security. The deliberations will focus on developing innovative, environmentally sustainable and science-driven plant health management strategies to address evolving agricultural challenges.
The two-day scientific programme will feature keynote addresses, invited lectures, technical sessions, oral and poster presentations, and scientific award sessions. Key areas of discussion will include climate-induced plant diseases, molecular diagnostics, genomics, genome editing, biological control, integrated disease management, disease-resistant crop varieties and next-generation sustainable crop protection technologies.
Dr Brajesh singh, Direcor, CPRI, Shimla mentioned that major highlight will be the Farmer-Industry-Researcher-
Dr. Santosh Watpade, Organizing Secretary said that Delegates from ICAR institutes, agricultural and horticultural universities, IITs, research organisations and leading agribusiness companies will participate in the symposium. Scientists and researchers representing Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu and several other states are expected to contribute to the scientific deliberations. The symposium is expected to provide a national platform for scientific knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of innovative plant health management approaches. Its outcomes are anticipated to contribute towards strengthening India’s agricultural resilience, protecting crop productivity, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods and advancing sustainable food systems in the face of changing climatic conditions.
