History of organized crop pest Surveillance in India .

In late nineteen sixties the high yielding varieties of rice such as Taichung Native  1(TN-1)and IR -8 were introduced to maximize the crop production .Later on these varieties were found widely attacked by Green leafhopper(Nephotetix Sp),Rice Tungru Virus(RTV)and Bacterial leafblight (BLB) during 1969 in Kharif season of UP ,Bihar,West Bengal,Orrissa,and MP states of India.

  Central Govt along with Ford foundation and in collaboration with the states had started an Adhock Rice surveys with periodicity of 10 days duration during Kharif 1970 onwards

Thia was the real beginning of  Organised crop pest Surveillance in India.

During  fourth five year plan 12 Central surveillance stations were established in various states of India which were lateron increase  to 19 during fifth five year plan.

 Each Surveillance Station was having few zonal surveillance stations in which one field reporter was posted to conduct fixed plot and one roving survey after 10 kilometre in a week.Each Zonal surveillance station  was having four fixed fields in which weekly surveys were conducted.In each field  five spots were observed randomly or zigzag manner to note the population if pests and their natural enemies .Thus 20 spots were surveyed on Monday, Teusday,Wednesday Thurstday .On next day ie on Friday,one cycle roving survey was conducted covering nearly 10 KM distance and area. Manual observations were taken on prescribed survey proforma.On Saturdaya meeting at zonal surveillance station was organized to compile these survey data.

 Lateron these surveys were changed in to long rapid roving surveys by a Vehicle covering 19 to 20  spot in a day by taking hault or stop after every every10 KM distance .The observations were taken both side of the road entering in to 10- 15 steps in side fields. The observation on the population of  pests and their natural enemies were taken at five spots in a field .In evening the day work and day report was compiled to summarise the pest situation found on survey route in a day .Each rapid roving survey was done or completed in 4 to 5 days.  .On arrival of survey team at Central surveillance station  , the total pest and disease situation was determined and the report was submitted to the PPA ,Dte of PPQAnd S Faridabad with copies to the state Govts..Lateron the visual collection and transmission of data even from field has been replaced with electronic transmission in form of e pest surveillance.