Teaching :

SKUAST, J&K. With the bifurcation of university in Sept 1999 this Division attained a full-fledged status to develop skilled and efficient human resource in the field of entomological aspects at Faculty of Agriculture, Udheywalla. The division moved to its present location in May 2008. This division is offering UG, and PG programs for the students of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry, Agribusiness Management and School of Biotechnology as well. The vision for next 10 years is to produce Job providers instead of Job seekers in the area of Urban pest control, Beekeeping, Bioentreprenuers and Insecticide residue analysts. For this the focus of teaching has been shifted to encourage Exchange programs for the students under NAHEP, Interactive learning, Digital classrooms through ICT tools (internet, eBooks, interactive board) for the students. The division also envisage to refine PG programme especially Ph.D. admissions with fellowships only and to ensure the quality research and output from doctoral research projects.

Research :

Development of techniques to address the issue and problems of location specific farming community · Forecasting models for tackling insect invasion and outbreak of emerging pests. Biodiversity conservation and bioprospecting for new bio pesticides, Ecological Engineering for pest management, Managed Pollination for enhanced productivity, Innovative Beekeeping for diversified products, Biological Control for natural farming, Bio rational and Botanicals as eco-friendly measures, Organic pest management, Climate change, insect outbreaks and mitigation measures. Community outreach programme for location specific IPM modules for Basmati rice, off-season and high value crops

Extension :

1. Hands on training on the Mass production and Utilization of biological control agents and beekeeping. 2. Demonstration of IPM technology for cultivation of fruits, vegetables and field crops and 3. Provide advanced technical know-how to the farmers through print and electronic media

The flagship areas:

• BIOLOGICAL CONTROL  To undertake comprehensive research efforts for exploring the biodiversity of various natural enemies viz., parasitoids, predators and pathogens and their documentation through conventional and molecular techniques.  To develop biopesticides based on indigenous strains and enhancement of their activity through various approaches.  To develop the Entomophage parks for conservation of natural enemies in various ecologically undistributed habitats wherein the traditional agriculture is still being practiced (Remote higher hills of Jammu).  To integrate the use of existing ITK along with available natural bio-resources in hill agro-ecosystems for developing sustainable pest management strategies.  To evolve effective habitat management strategies for promising natural enemies.  To conduct need based advanced research for devising area specific bio-intensive strategies for management of crop pests with special reference to the crops having export potential viz., high quality Basmati Rice, Walnut, Apple and olive.  To impart advanced technical knowhow for entrepreneurship and effective human resource development.
• ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST MANAGEMENT  Survey, monitoring and forecasting of major insect-pests in Agri-horticultural ecosystem of Jammu  Bio-ecology and population dynamics studies on key pests and their natural enemies in different agro-ecosystems.  Assessment of crop losses under field condition and its relationship with pest / density / disease intensity.  To explore the role of cultural manipulations and non-crop vegetation on pest abundance and their management.  Development and validation of location specific and economically feasible eco- friendly IPM module against key pest, diseases and nematodes through integration of available natural resources.
• TOXICOLOGY  Monitoring of insecticide resistance through baseline susceptibly studies in those insect-pests where frequency of insecticide usage is common.  Screening of new molecules of insecticides against insect-pests acquiring differential level of resistance in existing agro-ecosystem  Evaluation of field efficacy of various newer insecticides with novel modes of action so as to formulate a suitable management programme against various pests  Analysis of pesticide residues in/on fruits, vegetables and other food commodities  Waiting period in various crops after insecticide application  Pesticide residues in bee products
• APICULTURE  Pollination problems of fruit/field crops.  Evaluation of bee floral plants for improved honey production.  Selection of colonies with superior strains for improved honey production and pollination.  Investigations into honey bee diseases/enemies and their management. ❖ Pesticide residues in bee products.