India Expands Crop Protection Network with New Pest Management Centre in Varanasi
The new government facility will support pest monitoring, integrated pest management programmes, and farmer advisory services in one of India’s key agricultural regions.
03 June 2026, New Delhi: India has expanded its agricultural pest management infrastructure with the establishment of a new Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC) in Varanasi, a major agricultural hub in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
The move was announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on May 28, 2026. The new centre will operate under the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS), the country’s nodal agency responsible for plant health, pest surveillance, and crop protection programmes.
Strengthening India’s Pest Management System
According to the notification, the Varanasi facility will carry out activities under the mandate of the Directorate’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM)-cum-Locust Division, which focuses on sustainable approaches to controlling crop pests and managing pest outbreaks.
The centre is expected to contribute to pest surveillance, monitoring, farmer outreach, and other activities related to integrated pest management. It will function as part of India’s wider network of crop protection institutions that support farmers in identifying and managing pest threats.
Why Integrated Pest Management Matters
Integrated Pest Management, commonly known as IPM, is an internationally recognised approach that combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage pest populations while minimising environmental and economic risks.
The approach aims to reduce excessive dependence on pesticides and encourage more sustainable crop protection practices. IPM programmes are increasingly important as farmers worldwide face growing challenges from changing pest dynamics, climate variability, and concerns over pesticide resistance.
Official Notification
The notification states that the President of India has approved the establishment of the new Central Integrated Pest Management Centre. The office will function under the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad, which operates under the administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The notification was issued by Muktanand Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, under file number F. No. 12026/01/2021-PP-I.
The new centre will perform activities in accordance with the mandate and objectives of the Integrated Pest Management-cum-Locust Division, further strengthening India’s efforts to support sustainable crop protection and plant health management.
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