Training on “Biosecurity and Biosafety: Diagnostics, Phytosanitary Treatments and Issues” was organized from August 19-28, 2025 at ICAR-NBPGR in virtual mode under the DBT-funded project “National Programme for Quarantine and GM Diagnostics of Genetically Engineered Plant Material” operational at ICAR-NBPGR. The participants are plant quarantine officials from Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQ&S), researchers from ICAR institutes, private industry, State Agricultural Universities, other Universities, Central Silk Board (CSB), Coffee Board and ICARDA-India.
The training course was attended by 93 participants (14 from ICAR institutes, 26 from SAUs and other universities, 21 from private sector 27 from DPPQ&S, 2 from CSB and 2 from Coffee Board and one from ICARDA) from different parts of the country. The training was started on 19th August 2025. Dr. Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Director, ICAR-NBPGR gave an overview of PGR management at ICAR-NBPGR. Dr. V. Celia Chalam, Head, Division of Plant Quarantine gave overview of the Training.
The training was conducted by 18 in-house faculty from ICAR-NBPGR belonging to Division of Plant Quarantine, Division of Genomic Resources, Germplasm Exchange & Policy Unit and RS-NBPGR, Hyderabad and 14 guest faculty from DPPQ&S, DBT, BCIL, CFTRI/FSSAI, ICAR-IARI, ICAR-NRIIPM, BRIC-NABI, Mahyco, Corteva, Syngenta and delivered informative lectures on various aspects related to biosecurity and biosafety.
The course curriculum included both lectures and practicals conducted through videos to give the participants a good idea on various techniques used for diagnostics of different pests and GMOs, phytosanitary treatments and national international regulatory framework. Also, three virtual visits were conducted for the National Containment/Quarantine Facility for Transgenic Planting Material and GM Detection Research Facility at ICAR-NBPGR and National Phytotron Facility at ICAR-IARI. The topics covered included biosecurity and biosafety: concepts, international framework; national plant quarantine set-up for bulk imports; exchange procedures for germplasm including transgenics; detection and identification of insects, mites, plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasma, nematodes and weeds in quarantine; phytosanitary treatments for disinfestation and disinfection; post-entry quarantine regulations in India; pest risk analysis: concepts and methodology; status of agricultural biotechnology in India; biosafety regulatory framework for GE plants; Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and risk assessment for GMOs/ LMOs including laboratory practices for GMOs; biosafety issues and concerns related to field trials/ release of GM crops; policy issues related to new emerging technologies viz. CRISPR; case studies on gene editing of rice and banana; surveillance, diagnosis of Fusarium wilt TR 4 of banana; DNA-based diagnostics of GMOs and information sharing and biosafety clearing house mechanism; management practices for containment facility/ green house and plant quarantine issues from industry perspective.
The trainees have given both pre-training and post training evaluation quiz and observed substantial improvement in their knowledge after training. The Training was concluded with a Valedictory Session with Dr. R.K. Gautam, Head, Division of Germplasm Evaluation, ICAR-NBPGR, addressed the participants and distributed Certificates. Dr. R.K. Gautam in his address emphasized on the importance of such trainings and their role in generating awareness among the stakeholders. The Course Director, Dr. V. Celia Chalam, Head, Division of Plant Quarantine briefed about training programme and the trainees gave feedback on the training. The session ended with vote of thanks proposed by Dr Jameel Akhtar, Principal Scientist, Division of Plant Quarantine.
(Source: Dr. V. Celia Chalam, Head, Division of Plant Quarantine, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi)
