AAPP Newsletter: The first issue the aapp Newsletter was launched formally by the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, on 30th January '06. Presently, due to adverse cost implications its publication is temporarily withheld. All published issues are accessible through the Association's website: http://www.aappbckv.org.
Sasyasuraksha: The Society is publishing a quarterly bulletin in Bengali, basically a farm literature providing information for easy, quick diagnosis of pests and their management. Circulation is among the farmers, extension workers and input dealers of the state. All numbers of the bulletin can be accessed at the Association's website: http://www.aappbckv.org. The Bulletin has received wide appreciation from the growers, extension workers and administrators.
fSymposia: The AAPP successfully organized a 'National Symposium on Plant Protection: Technology Interface', Dec, 28-29, 2007 which received overwhelming response from all corners. The Association also successfully organized a Second National Symposium on 'Climate change, Plant Protection and Food Security Interface', during Dec, 17-19, 2009.
The Third Symposium, International, a sequel to the first two, entitled Food Security Dilemma: Plant Health and Climate Change Issues' is proposed during Dec, 7-9, 2012
Plant Protection Journal: The Association is publishing, The Journal of Plant Protection Science. A peer reviewed journal for original research articles. Further, a web-page (www.aappbckv.org/journal) of the journal has been created where free download of the issues along with detailed information on editorial matters are available. The Journal issues have been made open access through free registration in our website www.aappbckv.org/journal.
Two eminent speakers, Professor Ashok Nath Bose, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, West Bengal and Dr. L.S. Rathore, Advisor, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, New Delhi delivered lectures on the 'Effect of climate change on agriculture' on 30th May, 2007 during the first AGM.
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A brainstorming session was conducted on 'Impact of climate change on possible shifts in pest scenario of cropping systems' on 20th March, 2008. The lead speaker of the session was Mr. Debal Roy, IFS, Member-Secretary of West Bengal Pollution Control Board.
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Prof. P.N. Roy, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University spoke on 'Globalization and food security' on 24th September, 2008.
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Dr. R.K. Jain, Project Coordinator (Nematode), Division of Nematology, IARI, New Delhi delivered a lecture on 'AICRP (Nematode) and its role for developing nematode management strategies India' on 11th June, 2009 .
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Agricultural Scientists and post-graduate students met in a colloquium on 'Norman Borlaug and food security' as a tribute to this legendary agricultural scientist on 12th October, 2009. A special issue of Newsletter was produced by AAPP on Norman E Borlaug to commemorate the occasion. Special lecturers by Prof. D.K. Dasgupta, Former Vice-chancellor, BCKV, Prof. Soumitra Sen, IIT, Kharagpur and Dr. Sampa Das, Principal Scientist from Bose Institute, Kolkata were major highlights of the Meeting.
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On the occasion of the 3rd AGM on 10th September, 2009, Prof. Sudhin Kumar Mukhopadhyay delivered a ground level lecture on 'Poverty and food security'.
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Dr. John Leeper, Director, Rice Research and Development Rice Co International Inc., USA delivered a special lecture on' Yield improvement in rice through practical weed control' on 25th June, 2010. Prof. C.R. Hazra, Ex-Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh also spoke on the occasion on 'Sustainable development of agriculture for rural livelihood with special reference to food security'. Dr. S. Bedi, Consultant, RiceCo International Inc., USA was present during the occasion.
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A brainstorming session on 'Making IPM system more effective in India with emphasis on West Bengal scenario' was held on July 1, 2010. The house consisted of scientists from BCKV, representatives from State Government Line Departments, NGOs etc.
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The Association organized a special lecture on 'Continued colonial legacy in management of rivers of West Bengal' on 12th January, 2011. Dr. Kalyan Rudra, the speaker focussed on the river management system in India along with behaviour of rivers with special reference to West Bengal.
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AAPP and Plant Health Clinic, BCKV in collaboration with Nematological Society of India (Eastern Chapter), New Delhi organized a brainstorming session on 'Threatening nematode problems of crops in eastern India' on 7th July, 2011.
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On December 9, 2011, Dr. Dilip Lakshman, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, Maryland, USA delivered a special lecture on current researches on plant pathogenic fungi with emphasis on ongoing researches on bacteriophage-based biocontrol of tomato diseases.
Farmers' Advisory Services:
The Association is providing advisory services to farmers by telephone call every Sunday during 10.30 am to 11.30 am on any subject related to crop protection problems. This service has been translated into a Toll-Free service 1800 345 5235 through Plant Health Clinic, Directorate of Research, BCKV, Kalyani, from Monday to Friday (11.00am to 5.00pm). The service is extended by the PHC, has been widely appreciated by the growers of West Bengal and some other states like UP, Bihar, MP and Chhattisgarh.
Partnership with corporate sector and the BCKV University:
An innovative method of nematode awareness campaign was initiated by AAPP, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV) in partnership with El Tel Agro Marvels Pvt Ltd since 2006. Every year 7th July is observed as a Nematode Awareness Day. The objective of this programme was to provide ground level training to the farmers and pesticide dealers of West Bengal on identifying and managing major nematode problems.
MAJOR FUTURE PROJECTION: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON 'FOOD SECURITY DILEMMA –PLANT HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES' ON 7-9 Dec, 2012.
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