Year of Establishment: 1977

Research on biological control of insect pests and weeds was initiated in the early sixties under PL 480 grant. Subsequently, realizing the evils of chemical pest control methods like insecticide resistance, pest resurgence, destruction of bio-diversity and appreciating the need of  research in this non- chemical and safe method for pest management, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, launched an All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Biological Control of Crop Pests and Weeds in 1977 with Anand as one of the sixteen centers. Since then, the dedicated efforts of the scientists have resulted in a highly significant progress concerning Biological Control of Crop Pests and Weeds. The centre is being financed by the ICAR (75%) & State Government (25 %).

The delineation work has revealed that Gujarat and Western India earlier had a rich Bio-diversity. Due to indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides and fertilizers, the status has deteriorated for years and we have reached a stage where many of the Biological Control agents are now extinct.  It is the need of the day that a fresh evaluation should be done of the existing Bio-diversity and simultaneously care should be taken to conserve these bio-agents for a better future.