About the Department
The history of entomology at Pusa (Bihar) dates back to 1905, the period of Sir Maxwel Lefroy, the Imperial Entomologist at Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa who contributed to the monumental research work conducted in the region which took shape in his historical publication- The Indian Insect Life.
The Department of Entomology was established at Tirhut College of Agriculture mainly to teach Entomology to undergraduate students. After inception of the Rajendra Agricultural University at Pusa on 3rd December, 1970, it became a separate unit in the Faculty of Agriculture at Pusa Campus of the University with an objective of achieving excellence in teaching entomology to postgraduate students, conducting problem oriented research on insect pest of agricultural importance and extending latest technology development to farmers.
The Department of Entomology was established mainly to teach entomology to undergraduate students. Since inception of the University, it became a separate unit in the Faculty of Agriculture at Pusa Campus of Rajendra Agricultural University with an objective of achieving excellence in teaching entomology to postgraduate students, conducting problem oriented research on insect pests of agricultural importance, and extending latest technology development to farmers. Currently, this Department of Entomology is under PG College of Agriculture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University.
The Department is well equipped with smart podiums for teaching. Italso has a strong presence in research in the area of economic entomology, insect ecology, biological control, acarology, soil biota, molecular entomology with facilities for insect DNA extraction and PCR amplification and insecticide toxicology having a state of the art pesticide residue laboratory equipped with GC, HPLC and other sophisticated analytical instruments. The apiculture unit is housed independently and is equipped with modern research facilities along processing unit. The faculty is highly qualified, made available from the under graduate unit at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi and Sugarcane Research Institute, Pusa contributing their might to teaching and research capabilities thus, strengthening the overall human resource available in the department.
Major achievements of the department have been in the field of developing highly skilled personnel placed in reputed institutions, state department of Agriculture and Public Sector Undertakings. The technologies developed by the department are being regularly transferred to the farmers by the university. A major achievement of the department has been striking a balance in pursuing both the basic and applied aspects of entomology.
Vision:
To be a leader in Entomological science by promoting quality education and multi disciplinary research in various fields of Entomology.
Mandate:
- To impart quality education to the students in the Department of Entomology ranging from basic aspects of arthropod ecology, morphology, physiology, systematics and toxicology to applied subjects in apiculture, sericulture and lac culture.
- To conduct the quality research on different aspects of Entomology for insect pest management under different agro-climatic zones of Bihar.
- To carry out services related to pest management and beneficial insects
Objectives/Goals:
- To establish a highly successful graduate program with a national and international reputation.
- To guide students in their development as professionals in their chosen fields of entomology.
- To provide scientific basis for obtaining sustainable crop productivity by enhancing biological control practices with minimal pesticide residues.
- To conduct basic research in pesticide residue analysis.
- To provide training to the farmer’s on Apiculture with the objective of enhancing the quality honey production besides increasing crop production through pollination.
- To train the farmer’s for the management of storage insect pests at community level.
- To develop IPM module for eco-friendly management of insect pests with minimal cost.
- To carry out research in host plant resistance and molecular entomology.
Degrees Offered
| S. No. | Degree Offered | Subject/ Discipline | No. of Seats | Eligibility Qualifications |
| i | M. Sc. (Ag) | Entomology | 13+02* | B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture/Horticulture/ Forestry/Sericulture |
| ii | Ph.D. | Entomology | 03+01* | M.Sc. (Ag.) Entomology / Plant Protection with Specialization in Entomology. |
Facilities and Infrastructure
- Smart class room with projector
- Seminar hall with digital podium
- Computer room for PG students
- Insect Museum
- PG Students research laboratory with modual laboratory furniture
- Pesticide residue analysis laboratory
- Biological control laboratory
- Molecular laboratory
- Host Plant Resistance laboratory
- Modern apiary with honey processing laboratory
| List of major equipments | |
| · Gas Liquid Chromatograph | · Refrigerated centrifuge |
| · High Performance Liquid Chromatograph | · Table top centrifuge |
| · Analytical balance | · PCR Unit |
| · Water bath | · Gel electrophoresis unit |
| · Magnetic stirrer with hot plate | · Distillation Unit |
| · Electrophoresis and power supply | · Power back up with Batteries (10KVA) |
| · Transilluminator | · Power back up with Batteries (5KVA) |
| · Hot Air Oven | · BOD Incubator |
| · Microwave oven | · Binocular Stereoscopic Microscope |
| · DSLR Camera | · Trinocular Stereoscopic Microscope |
| · Vortex Mixer | · Dissecting microscope |
| · Deep freezer (-20 degree Celsius) | · Muffle furnace |
| · Honey Processing Plant (Capacity- 2.5q/day) | |
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| Pesticide residue analysis laboratory | |
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| Molecular laboratory | |
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| Conference hall and Classroom | |
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| Modern apiary with honey processing laboratory | |
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Achievements
i. Technology:
- Udit Kumar, Dinesh Rai, A. K. Singh, Neeharika Kanth, P. K. Jha, Manoj Kumar, Nagendra Kumar and R. K. Tiwari (2021). Standardization of Planting Time of Crop Geometry in Tulsi: vide O. O. No. 97/ DoR/RPCAU, Pusa dated 05.07.2021.
ii. Faculty awards/ honours:
- Nagendra Kumar received Best Ph. D. Thesis Award at 4th International virtual conference on Agriculture and Biological Science Research, 23rd to 24th January, 2021 organized by Kalp Laboratories.
- Md. Abbas Ahmad, received “Young Scientist Award” on the occasion of international conference on Emerging Issues in Agricultural & Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development (EIAEASSD-2018) during Nov., 27-29, 2018 held at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad (U.P.)
- Manoj Kumar received “Scientist of the Year Award” on the occasion of 5th International Conference “Global Insights on Research and Development in Agriculture, Horticulture and Allied Sciences” held during 5th -7th October, 2023 jointly organised by G. H. Raison University, Saikheda (MP) and Just Agriculture Education Group & AEEFWS, Chandigarh at G. H. Raison University, Saikheda (MP).
- Manoj Kumar received “Excellence in Research Award” on the occasion of 3rd National Conference on “Livelihood and Food Security through agriculture and Applied Sciences (LFSAAS-2023)” held during 5th November, 2023 organised by Society for Agriculture Innovation and Development Ranchi (SAID) at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi.
- Manoj Kumar Received “Young Entomologist Award” on the occasion of 4th National Virtual Conference and Webinar on Doubling Farmers Income for Sustainable & Harmonious Agriculture, DISHA-2021 held on 13th -14th March, 2021 at Dhanbad.
- Manoj Kumar Received “Young Scientist Award” on the occasion of International Web Conference on New Trends in Agriculture, Environmental & Biological Sciences for Inclusive Development (NTAEBSID-2020) organized by Agro Environmental Development Society (AEDS) held at Rampur, Uttar Pradesh during June, 21st -22nd, 2020.
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Entomological Society of India Awards Ceremony 2024 |
iii. Student Awards/Achievements:
- Dr. Sudeepa Kumari Jha, M. Sc. (Ag.) Student (2015-17 Batch), Deptt. of Entomology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur) Bihar selected as Assistant Prof.-cum-Jr. Scientist, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur) on 05.10.2023.
- Dr Shriti Moses, RPCAU Batch (2016-17) got selected as Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection), KVK, Sitamarhi (Bihar)
- Mr. Pankaj Kumar, M. Sc. (Ag.) Student (2016-18 Batch) joined as Assistant Professor cum Junior Scientist–cum at BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar) on 13th August 2021.
- Mr. Deepak Kumar Mahanta Pursuing Ph.D. (2020) joined as Scientist B at IFRI, Dehradun, (Uttarakhand).
iv. Research activities:
National & International projects with details of PI/ Co-PI:
Sl. No. | Name of the Project | Funding agency | Scientist Involved |
1 | AICRP on Small Millets | ICAR | Dr. Pushpa Singh, Co-PI |
2 | Cropping System Demonstration
| Climate Resilient Agriculture Programme, Govt of Bihar | Dr. Pushpa Singh, PI |
3 | Biochemical Mechanism of Tolerance against gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on chickpea and its management” | University Funded Project | Dr. Pushpa Singh, P.I. |
4 | AICRP on Rice | ICAR | Dr. Md. Abbas Ahmad, Co-PI |
5 | AICRP on Seed Technology Research | ICAR | Dr. Manoj Kumar, Co.-P.I. |
6 | AICRP on Honeybee & Pollinators | ICAR | Dr Nagendra Kumar, P.I., Dr Surendra Prasad, Co.-P.I. |
7 | ‘Evaluation of Medicinal Plants for Honey Production Round the Year in Bihar’ | NBB, New Delhi | Dr Nagendra Kumar,P.I. |
8 | ‘Prospering litchi Honey Development through Geographic Indications in Bihar’ | ICAR, New Delhi | Dr Nagendra Kumar, Co-PI |
9 | Establishing common incubation center for honey processing, primary processing and canning of fruits and vegetable, mushroom and banana-based cookies | Ministry of Food Processing Enterprises, Govt. of India | Dr Nagendra Kumar Co-PI |
10 | Assessment of pollinator diversity, their relation with environmental cues, and conservation outreach of the butterfly garden. | University Funded Project | Dr. M S Sai Reddy, PI |
11. | Eco friendly Management of Banana Pseudostem Weevil (Odioporus longicollis Olivier) and Banana Scarring Beetle (Basilepta spp.). | Colloborative project funded by ICAR- National Reasearch Center for Banana | Dr. M S Sai Reddy, Co- PI |
12. | AICRP on Wheat and Barley | ICAR | Dr. M S Sai Reddy, Co- PI |
13. | AICRP on Fruits | ICAR | Dr. M S Sai Reddy, Co- PI |
v. Publications:
Technical Bulletins:
- अजय कुमार सिंह, माधुरी आर्या, विनय कुमार चौधरी, संगीता सहनी एवं मो. अब्बास अहमद (२०२०): कृषक भागेदारी द्वारा मसूर बीज उत्पादन की आधुनिक तकनीक, किसान मेला, फरवरी, २०२० में पब्लिश l (Technical Bulletin DEE-P.No. TCA/PB/B1/208/2020)
- अजय कुमार सिंह, माधुरी आर्या, विनय कुमार चौधरी, संगीता सहनी, मो. अब्बास अहमद, इंदु भूषण पाण्डेय एवं अमलेंदु कुमार (२०२०): कृषक भागेदारी द्वारा बसंतकालीन एवं ग्रीष्मकालीन मूंग/उर्द बीज उत्पादन की आधुनिक तकनीक, किसान मेला, फरवरी, २०२० में पब्लिश l (Technical Bulletin No.DEEP. No. TCA/PB/TB1/224/2020
- अजय कुमार सिंह, विनय कुमार चौधरी, मो. अब्बास अहमद, संगीता सहनी, इंदु भूषण पाण्डेय, माधुरी आर्या, एवं अमलेंदु कुमार (२०२१): कृषक भागेदारी द्वारा अरहर बीज उत्पादन की आधुनिक तकनीक, किसान मेला, फरवरी, २०२१ में पब्लिश l (Technical Bulletin No. DEEP. No. TCA/PB/TB/313/2021)
- Sanjay Kumar Sahoo, Md. Abbas Ahmad, Rajeev Ranjan Vijay Kumar and Shivam Kumar (2021). Pesticide Residue Management in Horticultural Crops (Technical Bulletin No.02 / DoR /2021) released in 11th RCM, 2021
- Sanjay Kumar Sahoo, Md. Abbas Ahmad, Rajeev Ranjan and Vijay Kumar (2021). Safe Use of Pesticides in Agriculture (Technical Bulletin No.01/DoR/2021) released in 11th RCM, 2021
- Sanjay Kumar Sahoo, Md. Abbas Ahmad, Rajeev Ranjan Vijay Kumar and Shivam Kumar (2022). Fasalon mein Keet Byadhinashko ka Surakchhit Prayog (Technical Bulletin PGCA/Ento/TB/182/2022) released in Regional Kisan Mela March, 12-14, 2022
- Sanjay Kumar Sahoo, Md. Abbas Ahmad, Rajeev Ranjan Vijay Kumar and Shivam Kumar (2022). Uddyanik Fasalon mein Keet Byadhinashak Awashesh Prabandhan (Technical Bulletin PGCA/Ento/TB/183/2022) released in Regional Kisan Mela March, 12-14, 2022
- Dinesh Rai, Manoj Kumar and Shubhasi Kumar (2024): Satawar Ki Vaigyanik Kheeti, Published by Deptt. of Plant Pathology & Nematology, RPCAU, Pusa (Extension Bulletin/MAP-01/2024).
- Dinesh Rai, Manoj Kumar and Shubhasi Kumar (2024): Sarpagandha Ki Vaigyanik Kheeti, Published by Deptt. of Plant Pathology & Nematology, RPCAU, Pusa (Extension Bulletin/MAP-02/2024).
Lab Manuals:
- Sahoo, S. K., Singh, S. P., Kumar, M. and Kumar, V. (2022). Practical Manual Toxicology of Insecticides for M.Sc. (Ag.) Entomology. of Entomology, PGCA, RPCAU, Pusa, P. No.-PD/119/RPCAU, Pusa.
vi. Extension Activities: * Ongoing various activities and Seminars/Conferences/Workshops/Trainings organized
Ongoing various extension activities:
- Kaushal Vikash Training on Beekeeping Programme (BAMETI) during 2019-20 vide No. 220/ADR/ RPCAU, Pusa dt. 31.01.2020.
- Training Programme under Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyaan Kharif 2025 in Saraiya, Sahebganj Block in Muzaffarpur, Hanuman Nagar Block in Darbhanga and Choudahi Block in Begusarai Districts of Bihar.
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Seminars/Conferences/Workshops/Trainings/ Brainstorming sessions organized:
- 21 Days ICAR sponsored winter School on “Epigenetic Regulations as Drivers of insecticide Resistance and Resilience to Climate Change in Agricultural Pests” from 29th January to 18th February 2024.
- Organised 6- days Self- financed Training Programme on Beekeeping at University Apiary, RPCAU, Pusa from 28.03.2019 to 02.04.2019.
- Organised 6- days Self- financed Training Programme on Beekeeping at University Apiary, RPCAU, Pusa from 10.06.2019 to 15.06.2019.
- Organised 2- days Training Programme on Beekeeping for RAWE Students of TCA, Dholi at University Apiary, RPCAU, Pusa from 12.09.2019 to 13.09.2019.
- Organized 10 days training programme sponsored BAMETI, Patna, Govt. of Bihar
- (BSDM) in collaboration of Director Research, RPCAU, Pusa
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21 days ICAR sponsored winter school on “Epigenetic Regulations as Drivers of insecticide Resistance and Resilience to Climate Change in Agricultural Pests” from 29th January to 18th February 2024. | ||
Faculties
1 | Dr. Udayan Mukherjee | Professor & Head | ||
2 | Dr. Pushpa Singh | Professor | 9430560507 | pushpa@rpcau.ac.in |
3 | Dr. S. K. Sahoo | Professor | 9872655270 | sksahoo@rpcau.ac.in |
4 | Dr. Manoj Kumar | Associate Professor | 9162736466 | manojk.ento@rpcau.ac.in |
5 | Dr. Md. Abbas Ahmad | Associate Professor | 9470021983 | abbas.ento@rpcau.ac.in |
6 | Dr. Nagendra Kumar | Associate Professor | 6201019031 | nagendra.kumar@rpcau.ac.in |
7 | Dr. Ranjeet Kumar | Associate Professor | 7985804481 | rkipm06@gmail.com |
8 | Dr. Surendra Prasad | Assistant Professor | 8271566051 | sprasad@rpcau.ac.in |
9 | Dr. M.S. Sai Reddy | Assistant Professor | 9346625239 | sai.reddy@rpcau.ac.in |
10 | Dr. Dhruv Singh | Assistant Professor | 9667846700 | dhruvsingh385@rpcau.ac.in |
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