The Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT) recently celebrated its 34^th Foundation Day on 30 – 31 May 2024. The institute was established on 31st May 1991 at as a premier research institute in the field of pesticide formulation technology under the administrative control of Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

On 30^th May 2024, IPFT organized farmers awareness programme in its campus that was attended by about 100 farmers along with the team of officials from DCPC as part of their field emersion visit led by H Kam Suanthang, Joint Secretary.

The event was graced by Prof K Vamsi Krishna, IIT Delhi, Dr. Ajeet S Tomar, Dhanuka Agritech and H Kam Suanthang, Joint Secretary, DCPC as Chief Guest and Guest of Honors respectively. The demonstration of pesticide spray through drone at experimental farm of IPFT was organized for the farmers followed by technical session to make them aware about the safe and judicious use of pesticides, promotion of biopesticides, good agricultural practices, integrated pest management, sustainable agricultural practices by the faculty, viz., Dr. Amrish Agarwal, Dr. Deepak Jaiswal, Dr. Bharat Singh, Dr. Vivek Pandey and Dr. Sandhna Chauhan. The kits for safe handling of pesticides in the farm fieldswere distributed to the farmers. The event ends with the closing remarks by Dr. Lalitesh Thakur.

On the eve of 34^th IPFT Foundation Day, Chief Guest of the Foundation Day celebrations, Dr. USN Murty, Director, NIPER, Guwahati & Member, Governing Body of IPFT has inaugurated the Advanced Equipment Facility at IPFT along with other distinguished guests, which will be used for the NABL accredited testing and research activities.

Dr. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IICT; Prof Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL, New Delhi, Prof. S.K. Mehta, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Neelkamal Darbari, IAS, Former Additional Secretary to the Government of India; Dr. Y.P. Ramdev, UNIDO, New Delhi, Kuldeep Singh, CMD, HIL, New Delhi and Ex-IPFT Directors, viz.,Dr. S.K. Raza, and Dr. Jitender Kumar.

To make the celebration as an event of learning and knowledge sharing, the IPFT Foundation Day was celebrated with a theme of “Innovative Approaches in Biopesticides Research for Sustainable Agricultural Prosperity” which was graced by Dr. USN Murty, Director, NIPER, Guwahati & Member, Governing Body of IPFT as Chief Guest, Dr. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IICT; Prof Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL, New Delhi, Prof. S.K. Mehta, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Dr. Y.P. Ramdev, UNIDO, New Delhi and  Kuldeep Singh, CMD, HIL, New Delhi as Guest of Honors. The Ex-IPFT directors, Neelkamal Darbari, IAS, Former Additional Secretary to the Government of India; Dr. S.K. Raza, and Dr. Jitender Kumar were also graced the celebration along with the delegates from Industry, Academia, Students and Staff of IPFT.

Dr. Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam, Director, IPFT welcomed all the dignitaries for their gracious presence and presented about the evolution of IPFT since its establishment along with its achievements and contributions to agrochemical industries towards fulfilling the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

During this program, the Chief Guest has unveiled the revamped edition of IPFT E-patrika, viz., “कृषि रसायन दिग्दर्शिका”.

The celebration ended with two key note talks by Dr. Venkat Mohan from CSIR-IICT and Dr Thallada Bhasker from CSIR-IIP and felicitation to the Ex-IPFT Directors and Employees along with other distinguished guests. The IPFT and IIP Dehradun has exchanged MoU to pursue collaborative research efforts to develop bio-formulations through biomass utilization. The event was attended and celebrated by IPFT former and present employees along their families.