National seminar, exhibition mark International Day of Plant Health
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 12 2026: The Department of Botany, DM College of Science, Dhanamanjuri University organised an exhibition of home grown leafy vegetables and fruits on the occasion of International Day of Plant Health.

The exhibition took place at the hall of the Botany Department where 33 stalls were set up by groups of students.

Speaking in this connection, Dr Kh Sushila, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, DM College of Science said that 40% of global food crops are ruined by plant pests and diseases annually.

This poses huge threats to food security and the agriculture sector.

To help reduce such big losses in food crops, International Day of Plant Health has been observed to improve plant health and conserve biodiversity.

The vegetables and fruits displayed in the exhibition today have been grown without any fertilizers or pesticides, she maintained.

Consuming food items exposed to fertilizers and pesticides comes with health risks.

She urged people to instead consume organic crops or those which have been treated only with bio-fertilizers.

Separately, the Department of Life Sciences (Botany), Manipur University kicked off a two-day National seminar on "Plant Health Management for Food Security" today to mark the International Day of Plant Health.

The seminar, conducted in hybrid mode, focused on the theme "Plant Biosecurity for Food Security" and highlighted the importance of plant health in ensuring national food security.

The inaugural function was graced by Prof Sumitra Phanjoubam, Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge) of MU as the chief guest.

Guests of honour included Prof N Mohilal Meitei, Dean, School of Life Sciences, MU; Prof Kumanand Tayung, Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Gauhati University; and Prof Ksh Birla Singh, Head, Department of Zoology, MU.

The session was presided over by Prof Kananbala Sarangthem, Head, Department of Life Sciences (Botany).

Prof Kumanand Tayung delivered the keynote lecture, followed by invited talks from Prof Ng Iboyaima Singh of Central Agricultural University (CAU), Dr Y Premananda Singh of MU, and Dr T Basanta of ICAR.

Dr Heikham Evelin and Prof S Sureshkumar Singh served as Organizing Secretaries.

The seminar emphasized several critical areas, including microbial diversity and plant health management, biotic and abiotic stress management, biofertilizers and biopesticides, natural farming systems and sustainable development among others.

More than 90 participants, comprising faculty members, research scholars, and postgraduate students from Manipur as well as other States such as Assam, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, participated and presented their research findings in the hybrid-mode seminar.

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