INDIAN Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Cotton Research (ICAR-CICR) is conducting a three-day Capacity Strengthening Support Programme for BCI Programme Partners on the theme ‘Recent Advances in Insect Pest and Disease Management in Cotton’ from April 28-30, 2026, at the institute’s seminar hall, Nagpur. The programme is being conducted under the guidance of Dr V N Waghmare, Director, ICAR-CICR, Nagpur. The programme was inaugurated under the chairmanship of Dr G T Behere, Head, Division of Crop Protection and Course Director. In his inaugural address, he emphasised the importance of sustainable cotton production through scientific pest and disease management practices and highlighted the need for regular capacity building of field functionaries associated with cotton farming systems.

 

Dr V S Nagrare provided the course overview and outlined the objectives of the training programme. He stressed the role of integrated pest management (IPM), emerging technologies, and scientific advisory systems in improving cotton productivity and profitability. The programme is being coordinated by Dr Babasaheb Fand and Dr Shailesh P Gawande. During the three-day programme, participants will receive expert lectures and practical exposure on key areas including bollworms and sucking pests’ management, semiochemical-based approaches, insect resistance management, ecological and precision IPM, Bt cotton prospects, nematode management, viral, bacterial and fungal diseases of cotton, and integrated disease management strategies.

 

A special awareness session on the balanced use of fertilisers in cotton cultivation has also been included in the programme. A special awareness session on the balanced use of fertilisers in cotton cultivation has also been included in the programme. The session aims to sensitise participants so that they can further disseminate scientific nutrient management practices among farmers, promoting judicious fertiliser use, improved soil health, reduced input costs, and sustainable cotton production. The training programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) programme partners and is expected to strengthen field-level advisory services for sustainable cotton cultivation in the country.