Symposium Re-Announcement: NSPPI 2026
National Symposium on Harnessing Plant Genetic Resources of Peninsular India
🔔 The symposium earlier announced as the NSWG Symposium has now been renamed and expanded as the National Symposium on Harnessing Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) of Peninsular India (NSPPI 2026). The revised title better reflects the broader scientific scope and national importance of plant genetic resources from Peninsular India.
The symposium will bring together scientists, policy experts, breeders, biodiversity researchers, and students working on conservation, characterization, and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources.
National Symposium on Harnessing PGR of Peninsular India (NSPPI 2026)
Theme:
From Biodiversity Hotspot to Sustainable Bioresource Hub
Dates:
📅 21–22 May 2026
Venue:
📍 ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR), Bengaluru
About the Symposium
Peninsular India—including the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Deccan Plateau, coastal ecosystems, and island systems—hosts immense plant genetic diversity. These genetic resources form the backbone of crop improvement, climate resilience, nutritional security, and sustainable agriculture.
However, increasing pressures such as habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and land-use change threaten many valuable genetic resources.
NSPPI 2026 aims to provide a national platform to:
- Strengthen collaboration among researchers and institutions
- Promote scientific exchange on plant genetic resources
- Encourage policy dialogue on conservation and access
- Highlight innovation and bioeconomy opportunities from biodiversity
- Connect research, policy, and community participation
Main Symposium Themes
Participants are invited to submit research contributions aligned with the following themes:
1. Exploration, Documentation and Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources
Field exploration, germplasm collection, geo-referencing, digital documentation, and conservation strategies.
2. Characterization, Evaluation and Genomic Interventions
Morphological, biochemical, molecular characterization and genomics-assisted utilization of germplasm.
3. Policy Frameworks, Biocurity, IPR and Access & Benefit Sharing
National and international policy frameworks governing biodiversity, intellectual property, and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
4. Capacity Building and Community Participation
Participatory conservation approaches, farmer engagement, knowledge sharing, and training initiatives.
5. Innovation, Bioeconomy and Livelihood Enhancement
Value addition, biodiversity-based enterprises, crop diversification, and sustainable livelihood models.
Call for Abstracts
Researchers, academicians, students, and professionals are invited to submit original abstracts for oral and poster presentations.
Abstract Guidelines
- Maximum length: 400 words
- Must align with one of the symposium themes
- Include title, authors, affiliations, and key findings
Submit your abstract here:
👉 Abstract Submission Form
https://forms.gle/uYGfnhoEsvVFg1Bf8
Registration
Participants interested in attending the symposium should complete the registration form.
Register here:
👉 Registration Form
https://forms.gle/tzq9UzQ2V4qjTZpK7
Registration confirmation will follow after verification of details.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for abstracts opens | March 2026 |
| Last date for abstract submission | 15 April 2026 |
| Acceptance notification | 30 April 2026 |
| Registration without late fee | 15 May 2026 |
| Symposium dates | 21–22 May 2026 |
Who Should Participate
The symposium welcomes participation from:
- Plant genetic resource scientists
- Plant breeders and crop scientists
- Biodiversity researchers
- Policy experts and administrators
- Students and early-career researchers
- Agricultural universities and ICAR institutes
- NGOs and private sector stakeholders working in biodiversity and bioeconomy
Join the Conversation on Biodiversity and Bioeconomy
The National Symposium on Harnessing PGR of Peninsular India (NSPPI 2026) aims to build a strong scientific and policy dialogue around conserving and utilizing plant genetic resources for future food and ecological security.
Researchers and professionals working in this area are warmly invited to submit abstracts and register to participate.