We are excited to announce that the CABI BioProtection Portal – the go-to information resource on biological control of pests – is now available for India, adding to the growing number of countries where this innovative online bioprotection resource is live. Like many in Asia, Indian farmers find the phasing out of certain synthetic pesticides to be a real challenge and are looking for alternative, non-chemical pest control solutions. India’s thriving farming sector contributes significantly to its Gross Domestic Product (18% in 2020), and for those looking for sustainable agricultural and horticultural approaches, the CABI BioProtection Portal can provide critical information about biopesticides in India.
India has a vast number of registered biocontrol and biopesticide products, which are being added to the portal in phases. The first batch of products is now available for viewing by users via the India product search page on the portal, and more will be added over the coming months in order to provide the complete set. The launch builds on CABI’s long-standing relationship with India. CABI has been collaborating with Indian universities, research institutes and plant health authorities for many years on biological control of pests.
A valuable resource for farmers looking for information on biopesticides in India
Increasingly, evidence shows that certain kinds of chemical pesticides in agriculture create serious problems for the environment and human health. The CABI BioProtection Portal is particularly useful for growers looking for non-chemical pest control approaches that reduce pressures on the environment as well as satisfy consumer demands for healthier and safer food and meet export or market standards.
The portal provides users with up-to-date information on nationally registered and available bioprotection products. Accessible on multiple devices and in local languages, including Indian, the portal helps growers and agricultural advisors to identify, source and correctly apply biocontrols and biopesticides in India for their specific crop-pest problems. The recently launched new portal website also makes this online resource even more user-friendly.
The launch in India is a valuable step for the portal’s growth, helping visitors in their journey towards sustainable agricultural and pest control approaches.
Dr Ulrich Kuhlmann, Executive Director, Global Operations at CABI said: “It is a real pleasure to see India included on the CABI BioProtection Portal, further expanding the geographical reach of this information resource across Asia. We hope that growers and advisors in India see value in this information resource and use it regularly to enhance their knowledge on biological control options and guide their pest management decisions.”
“Our goal is for the portal to increase awareness and uptake of more sustainable approaches to pest management globally. The current widespread use of chemical pesticides to fight crop pests alone is not sustainable either economically or environmentally, especially when you factor impacts exacerbated by climate change.”
“CABI is helping growers to adapt through projects that apply, among other things, our expertize in digital development and crop health, as well as products like the CABI BioProtection Portal which promote biological approaches to pest management.”
Dr Malvika Chaudhary, Regional Coordinator Asia at CABI, said: “It is nice to see that India has joined the CABI BioProtection Portal initiative. I believe India as a country with diverse agricultural production systems and diverse groups of farming enterprizes has much to offer. I anticipate Indian agricultural extension services may use the portal as a major reference when it comes to environmentally-friendly plant protection.”
