The session was organised on the theme of ‘Pest management in the global context’. The plenary session of the Congress was chaired by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Vice-Chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang. According to Dr NS Butter, Head, Department of Entomology and president of the society, chairpersons of the various sessions presented reports on the lead papers presented by eminent scientists of the country and abroad. The best poster presentations were awarded certificates by Dr Kang.

After deliberations, the various recommendations that emerged included the need for the development of region-specific IPM modules, including also for small and marginal farmers, use of pesticides in IPM based on ecological principles and economic threshold values, use of in-built plant resistance against insect-pests through biotechnological means, use of IT-based dissemination technology, integration of pest forecasting and forewarning models in IPM, and the need for development of eco-friendly bio-pesticides based on plants and bio-agents.

The urgent need of a separate division of plant protection with the Deputy Director General at ICAR level was also emphasized. It was resolved that the safety to useful insects must be ensured while formulating any IPM programme. Such a programme must also take into account economical, social, ethical, health and environmental safety issues in the larger interest of the society.

Members also decided that committees regulating transgenics should be highly cautious, and all pros and cons must be considered. The farmers’ participatory approach in validation of IPM programmes was also stressed upon. An immediate need of strengthening the field of insect taxonomy in the SAUs was experienced.