Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources

Society History


National Dialogues

1. The first Dialogue- “Plant Genetic Resources in India- Developing National Policy Option” was organized by Society during December 1-2, 1993, New Delhi.

2. The second Dialogue – “Issues in Management of Plant Genetic Resources” was organized by Society during December 1-2, 1998, New Delhi.

Dr B.P. Pal Memorial Lectures

The first Dr B.P. Pal Memorial lecture was delivered by Dr R.S. Paroda, the then Regional Plant Production and Protection Officer at FAO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, Bangkok Thailand, during the first Dialogue, which was held on December 1-2, 1993 on “Plant Genetic Resources in India-Developing National Policy Options”.

The second Dr B.P. Pal Memorial lecture was delivered by Dr Mangala Rai, Deputy Director General (Crops), ICAR Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, on “Issues in Management of Plant Genetic Resources” on December 1-2, 1998. The lecture covered wide range of issue viz., importance of PGR in social-economic development, threats to PGR, global instruments associated with conservation and use of PGR and the socialeconomic and ethical issues. The text of the lecture was also published and distributed by the Society.

Conferences, Symposia, Workshops

  1. The ISPGR actively contributed to the deliberations of the Second Crop Science Congress and also organized a Satellite Symposium in November 1996, New Delhi.
  2. The Society was a member of the confederation that jointly organized the International Conference on Managing Natural Resources in the 21st Century held during 14-18 February, 2000, at New Delhi and organized a Session and Keynote Address on PGR/Agrobiodiversity.
  3. In the first Indian Science Congress of the New Millennium (88th session), held in January, 2001, New Delhi, the Society made significant impact on the deliberations on Household Food, Nutrition and Environmental Security.
  4. Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources Management: Advances and Challenges organized by the Society during 1-4 August, 2001, New Delhi.
  5. National Conference on Transgenics in Indian Agriculture was organized by Society in collaboration with ICAR and NBPGR during 9-10 March, 2004, New Delhi.
  6. International Symposium on Introduction Achievements and Opportunities in South Asia was organized by Society in collaboration with NBPGR during 15-17 February, 2005, New Delhi.
  7. ISPGR celebrated the Birth Centenary of Late Dr. B.P. Pal by joint organization of the Symposium  on Search for New Genes held on September 1-3, 2006, at National Academy of Agricultural Science, New Delhi.The then Hon’ble President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inaugurated the celebrations.