OBJECTIVES & MISSION OF NIPHM

Objectives

1. Human Resource development in Plant Protection Technology, plant quarantine and bio-security with special emphasis on crop-oriented Integrated Pest Management approaches and protecting the plant bio-security borders, both in public and private sectors.
2. Human Resource development in analysis of Pesticide Formulations and Pesticide Residues for monitoring the quality status of pesticides in States/U.Ts.
3. Develop systematic linkages between state, regional, national and international institutions of outstanding accomplishments in the field of Plant Protection Technology.
4. Function as a Nodal agency / forum for exchange of latest information on Plant Protection Technology.
5. Collect and collate information on Plant Protection Technology for dissemination among the State Extension functionaries and farmers.
6. Identify, appreciate and develop modern management tools, techniques in problem-solving approaches and utilizing the mechanism of personnel management, resource management, input management and finally conflict management at the organization level.
7. Develop need-based field programmes for training and retraining of senior and middle level functionaries for executing plant protection programmes, and using training of trainer approaches to ensure maximum reach of programmes.
8. Conduct programme-oriented research in the area of Plant Protection, Integrated Pest Management, Pesticide Management, Plant Quarantine and Pesticide delivery systems and residues, to provide feedback to training programmes.
9. Serve as repository of ideas and develop communication and documentation services at national, regional and international level, in regard to the subject of plant protection management.
10. Forge linkages with national and international institutions, and create networks of knowledge sharing, through a programme of institutional collaboration and employment of consultants.
11. Function as Policy Support Central Government in various sector of Plant Protection inter-alia, IPM, Pesticides Management, Plant Quarantine, Bio-security, SPS, Market access issue etc.

Mission

The mission of the NIPHM is to assist the States and the Government of India in increasing the efficiency of the existing pest and disease surveillance and control system, certification and accreditation systems through a core role as a training and adaptive research centre in the field of extension and policy developments related to plant protection. The NIPHM provides its services to organizations in both the public and the private sector.

In addition to traditional training programmes, the NIPHM would also undertake projects, capacity building and studies in the plant health and quarantine area, including assessing market access potential, and other aspects related to the SPS agreement.

Another key factor will be to develop an international role as a leading centre for plant protection and quarantine capacity building within the region for building capacity in neighboring countries. In the regional role, the Institute would focus on training of trainers rather than undertake large volume training programmes for students from other countries within the region. It is likely that such approaches would attract international/inter-governmental organizations which are aiming to foster enhanced biosecurity within the region.

Main Thrust Activities of NIPHM since October 2008 as autonomous entity

Popularizing the Plant Protection Technology among the farming communities and extension functionaries of Central, State/UTs/ Public /Private Sectors, and other Non Governmental Organizations. Organizing Long term and Short Term Training courses in Plant Protection.

During the 11th Plan period, a total of 220 long and short duration training programmes are scheduled to be organized including 25 off-campus Training Programmes. It is targeted to train 4350 persons as trainers (both from the state and private sector) over the five year period, for adoption of better and improved plant protection practices under the overall ambit of Integrated Pest Management/Plant Quarantine/SPS issues, etc. The trainers' training is going to have a multiplier effect, as each trained trainer employed in field training activities would typically train a further 100 farmers per year, by running up to 4 Farmers' Field Schools per year.

Ultimately benefits accrue from the adoption of new techniques in the field, in terms of increased production of quality produce (with minimum pesticide residue levels), and the optimized use of expensive inputs such as pesticides to minimize the negative impact of pesticides on the environment and enhancing farmers income.

In addition to traditional capacity building efforts in the field, the re-orientation of the Institute as the NIPHM will yield significant benefits in terms of the ability of the Indian agriculture sector to compete internationally in trading commodities, through increased emphasis on pest surveillance and advanced approaches to plant quarantine. Equally, playing an active role as an international centre of excellence will support plant-related bio-security within the region and reduce any risks to Indian agriculture from introduced pests and diseases associated with trade. This training and consultancy work, as well as provision of technical advice and guidance on bilateral and multilateral trade-related topics, will significantly improve the capacity of the senior officers charged with national plant protection duties.