About the Society

Society of Pesticide Science India (SPS India) (www.spsindia.co.in) was formed as a national Society on 25th September 1987 with its Headquarters at the Division of Agricultural Chemicals, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. Dr. K.N. Mehrotra, FNA, Senior Scientist (Former Professor of Eminence and Head, Division of Entomology, IARI, and Former Assistant Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi) took over as the founder President and Dr. Balraj S. Parmar, Head, Division of Agricultural Chemicals, IARI, as the founder General Secretary of the Ad-hoc Committee.


The historic decision to form the Society was taken at a special meeting held on this day at the Division of Agricultural Chemicals which was attended by Drs. N. K. Roy, Former Head of Division, N. P. Agnihotri, Senior Scientist, S. K. Handa, Project Coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Pesticide Residues, H. K. Jain, Senior Scientist, C. Devakumar, Scientist, R. Khazanchi, Scientist, Balraj S.Parmar, Head of Division, all from Division of Agricultural Chemicals, IARI; R. L. Kalra, Senior Insect Toxicologist, Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, T. D. Seth, Head A

Analytical Chemistry and Instrument Section, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, and T.S.Kathpal, Pesticide Chemist, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. 
The Society was formally launched and inaugurated on 16th November, 1989 by Dr. M.S.Swaminathan, FRS, Chairman M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai (Former Director General, ICAR and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Government of India, former Secretary Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, and former Member Planning Commission of India, Former Director General, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines) in the distinguished presence of Dr. N.S. Randhawa, Director General, ICAR and Secretary, DARE, and Dr. A. M. Michael, Director, IARI, New Delhi. It was registered under the Societies Act with Registration Number-19211, 1988. The Society aimed to promote science based safe, effective and judicious use of pesticides- an essential and intensive input in today’s agriculture. 
This report provides an overview of the activities and achievements of the Society since its inception. An appraisal of its activities and achievements has been attempted along with some suggestions for further improvement.

Objectives

  • At the time of its formation, the following objectives were envisaged
  • Advance the cause of pesticides and allied agrochemicals in India
  • Provide a forum to scientists for expressing critical views based on scientific knowledge and rational thinking on important national policies and programmes related to pesticides, allied agrochemicals and related fields
  • Encourage and promote research on various aspects of pesticides and allied agrochemicals
  • Foster high standards in teaching of pesticides and allied agrochemical sciences so as to cultivate manpower of excellence
  • Collect, collate and disseminate information on various scientific and technological aspects of the programmes, policies, management and use of chemicals
  • Work in association and cooperation with other national and international societies / organizations having similar objectives
  • Publish a journal and other material of relevance
  • Promote judicious use of pesticides and allied chemicals with a view to maximizing crop production vis a vis minimizing environmental pollution and health hazard