Welcome to 2icbc2025, the world of biocontrol!

On behalf of the Organising Committee, it is our great pleasure to invite you to the Second International Conference on Biological Control: Biocontrol Contributions to One Health (2icbc2025) being hosted by the Society for Biocontrol Advancement (SBA) and the ICAR–National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR–NBAIR). The four-day conference is scheduled for 25–28 February 2025 in the vibrant city of Bengaluru, India.

This conference will be a pivotal gathering of scientists, researchers, practitioners and policymakers from around the globe, united by a shared commitment to advancing the field of biological control and its critical role in promoting One Health. This holistic approach recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, and underscores the importance of sustainable, integrated solutions to some of our most pressing global challenges.

Building on the success of our First International Conference on Biological Control: Approaches and Applications (1icbc2018), which was a landmark event that attracted delegates from over 20 countries and offered a platform for extensive exchange of knowledge and networking, the second edition is aiming to provide an even broader stage for the exchange of leading-edge research, innovative technologies and best practices in biocontrol and allied sectors. The central theme of this edition highlights the multifaceted benefits of biocontrol strategies in enhancing ecosystem health, agricultural productivity and public wellbeing.

Our programme includes an exciting lineup of keynote addresses, plenary sessions and thematic sessions led by renowned experts in the field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions, explore collaborative research opportunities and participate in field visits to witness biocontrol applications in real-world settings. Additionally, we are proud to feature a diverse array of digital poster presentations and student sessions, fostering the next generation of leaders in biological control and allied sectors.

We look forward to welcoming you to Bengaluru for this engaging and inspiring event.

Dr Satya Nand Sushil
President

Dr Prakya Sreerama Kumar
Chief Organising Secretary

The Society for Biocontrol Advancement (SBA) was established in 1986 as the Indian Society for Biocontrol Advancement (ISBA) at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. In 1996, it began operating as the Society for Biocontrol Advancement (SBA) from the Project Directorate of Biological Control, Bangalore. The SBA's objective is to promote research in biological control, create awareness, and facilitate the implementation of biological control methods for pests, pathogens, and weeds in India. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and information. The SBA's activities include publishing the highly specialized Journal of Biological Control, Organising lectures, seminars, symposia, workshops, brainstorming sessions, and conferences on biological control of crop pests and diseases. The society also aims to foster national and international cooperation with other organizations engaged in similar activities. The SBA has conducted twenty lectures, three international conferences, seven national conferences, six workshops, and ten brainstorming sessions. The Journal of Biological Control is published quarterly, with the latest issue being volume 38(2), 2024. The society currently has 750 life members and honours outstanding biocontrol researchers with prestigious awards and citations.

The National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR), formerly known as the National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects (NBAII), is situated in Bangalore, Hebbal. It shares the premises with the Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control (CIBC), Indian Station, established in 1957. This marked the beginning of organized biological control research in India. CIBC closed in 1987, and the All India Coordinated Research Project on Biological Control of Crop Pests and Weeds (AICRP-BC&W), launched in 1977, moved to the same campus in 1988. Renamed as the Biological Control Centre, it operated under the National Centre for Integrated Pest Management. In the eighth five-year plan (1993), it became the Project Directorate of Biological Control (PDBC). PDBC was the nodal agency for national biological control research with 16 centres. Upgraded to NBAII during the XIth plan, it became NBAIR in the twelfth plan. NBAIR now focuses on the collection, characterization, and utilization of insect resources for sustainable agriculture.