Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Abraham Verghese

Chairman, Rashvee-International Phytosanitary Research & Services Pvt. Ltd.

Editor-in-Chief, Insect Environment 

Former Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR), BangaloreFormer Principal Scientist & Head, Entomology ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Bangalore, Former Chief Editor, Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystem 

Brief Biodata 

Dr. Abraham Verghese, B.Sc (Agri), .M.Sc (Agri), Ph. D, FRES (UK), Post-doc training at Imperial College London, UK 

Dr A. Verghese is the Former Director, ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bangalore, India, Former Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Entomology and Nematology, ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, Former National Project Coordinator,  India–UK-Integrated Management of Fruit Flies in India and Former Project Coordinator, ICAR-All India –Biological Control Project.  Dr Verghese was also the Ex-Board Member- University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore  and Ex-Board Member- University of Agricultural Horticulture Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka. 

Currently he is the Editor-in-Chief,  Insect Environment ,  Chairman, Rashvee-International Phytosanitary Research & Services Pvt. Ltd., Scientific advisor Neethi Bioprotectants, Scientific advisor Krushi Bioprotectant, Asian Representative, International Steering Committee on Fruit Fly, Faculty, International Haggai Institute of Leadership, USA, and also faculty of several Universities in India. 

He has several prestigious Fellowships and some important ones are: 

• Fellow of Royal Entomological Society, London 
• Fellow of Association for Advancement in Biodiversity Sciences 
• Fellow of Society for Biocontrol Advancement 
• Fellow of Confederation of Horticulture Association of India 
• Fellow of Association for Advancement in Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystem 
• Karnataka Science and Technology Academy Fellowship 2022

Dr. Abraham Verghese- holds many important assignments like: 

• IPM Consultant,  for Agriculture and Processed Food Process Export Development Authority  (APEDA) and State Horticultural Departments 
• Research Advisor, ICAR- National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune 
• Research Advisor , ICAR, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod, India 
• Member, Research Review Team, ICAR-National Research Center Banana, Trichi, India 
• Member of Research Coordinator Committee, Central Silk Board, Bangalore 
• Editorial Advisor for the journal Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystem 
• Member of Editorial Board, Newsletter for Birdwatchers  

In the past he has held many prestigious assignments; some important ones are: 

• Consultant to Sultanate of Oman, deputed by Indian Council of  Agriculture Research  
• Member of FAO Asia Pacific Phytosanitary Committee, Bangkok, Rome 
• Project Coordinator & Network Coordinator, Sucking Pests, ICAR 
• President - Society for Biocontrol Advancement  
• Chief Editor of the journal, Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystem 
• Founder Editor, Insect Environment 
• Expert Selection Committee Member, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 
• Member of Editorial Board,  Resonance, Indian National Science Academy  
• Former Secretary Ornithological Society of India 
• Secretary of Research Advisory Committee, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore 
• Member, Institute Management Committee, Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner, Rajasthan  
• Member, Research Advisory Committee for National Horticultural Research and development Foundation, Nasik and New Delhi 
• Coordinator  of Coffee Borer Management Committee, Coffee Board 
• Faculty in Agricultural Entomology, UAS- Bangalore & UHS- Bagalkot; in Life Sciences, Jain University-Bangalore; Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad; in Environmental Sciences, Kuvempu University; in Zoology and Life Sciences, Bangalore University. 

Dr Verghese has headed 21 research projects under various Government Schemes as follows:  

ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research 

DST- Department of Science and Technology 

DBT-Department of Biotechnology 

BARC- Baba Atomic Research Centre 

Dep. of Horticulture, Karnataka 

APEDA, DAC-Plant Protection and Quarantine 

DFID (UK)- Department of International Development (United Kingdom) 

NABARD- National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development 

Coffee Board 

NICRA- National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture  

NATP- National Agriculture Technology Project (ICAR-World Bank) 

NHM- National Horticulture Mission  

RKVY- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana  

Bioversity International, Italy 

Dr Verghese has published 392 Research papers in International and National Journals, five scientific books, more than 1000 popular articles.  

He has authored two books: “Watching Insects” and a fiction novel, “Living Dowry” both of which are available in Amazon, Flipcart, etc 

He has guided 12 Ph.Ds, 8 M.Sc and 14 Pre and Post doctoral trainees 

Dr Abraham Verghese has been honoured with several awards : 

• First Rank and Best School Student Award 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 
• Gold Medals  for first  First Rank in both M.Sc and Ph.D, 1978 and 1992, respectively 
• Karnataka State Cash Award for first rank in M.Sc (Agriculture) 
• Biotech Product and Process Development and Commercialization Award by Department of Biotechnology (Cash Award of 2 Lakhs) 
• Life Time Achievement Award at the WORLD BIODIVERSITY CONGRESS, University of Sri Lanka 
• Award of Excellence in Scientific Category by ICAR - Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Benagluru 
• AusAID International Award from Australia for his work in grape thrips management 
• Pedda Reddy Thimma Reddy Cash Award for Integrated Pest Management in Mango 
• Best Innovative Scientist Award by Andhra Pradesh Farmers Federation 
• Raitha Mithra Award by Mango Grower Sangha Hassan 
• Amulya Award – Innovation award by Karnataka State Innovation Council and Department of Industries and Commerce 
• International Biodiversity and Environmental Award in Professional Category by International Congress on Biodiversity, Serbia. 
• Team Research Award for the Best Innovative Biocontrol Research, by Society for  Biocontrol Advancement 
• Distinguished Alumni by University of Agriculture Sciences, Bengaluru, 2016 
• Life Time Achievement Award, by Institution of Agricultural Technology, Bangalore-2019 
• Rao Bahadur Ramachandra Rao Memorial Award-B V David Foundation for 2020, for contribution in Eco-physiology of insects. 

Dr Verghese has visited several countries on official assignments; he is widely travelled. Some of these are: USA, Singapore, S. Africa, Sri Lanka, UK, Indonesia, Brazil, Spain, Amsterdam, Serbia, Netherlands, Guam, South Korea, Bangkok, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, France, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Oman, Maui, Hawaii etc.   

Dr A Verghese lives in Bangalore, India 

Abraham Verghese 

E mail:  abraham.avergis@gmail.com 

Mobile: 9844167020

Dr. M.A Rashmi

Founder and CEO, Rashvee-International Phytosanitary Research & Services Pvt. Ltd.

Co-Editor-in-Chief, Insect Environment 

Brief Biodata 

Dr. M.A Rashmi

Ph.D. Agricultural Entomology, M.Sc. Agricultural Entomology (UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru)
PG Diplomas in Rural Development, Plant Protection, and Intellectual Property Rights
Fellow, Association for Advancement of Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystems (AAPMHE)

Dr. MA Rashmi  is a women entrepreneur & Entomologist from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. The Startup is recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 

Dr. Rashmi has 16 plus years of research and teaching experience working at different Private and Government organizations such as Regional Plant Quarantine Station, Bengaluru, DPPQS, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Monsanto India ltd, Department of Agricultural Entomology, UAS, Bangalore. 

Dr. Rashmi founded R-IPRS, also known as Rashvee-International Phytosanitary Research & Services, with a core mission to offer cutting-edge, climate-resilient, and environmentally viable plant protection technologies. The startup’s primary objective is to empower farmers with sustainable pest management practices and promote the production of safe, residue-free horticultural products. 

R‑IPRS is recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and accredited as a Phytosanitary Service Agency (PSSA) and Phytosanitary Service Provider (PSSP) by the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

Career Highlights

• Over 16      years of research and teaching experience across private and      government institutions including: Regional Plant Quarantine Station      (DPPQS), ICAR‑IIHR, Monsanto India Ltd, and UAS, Bangalore.
• BIRAC Awardee with multiple national grants      (DBT‑BIG, DST‑NIDHI, RKVY‑RAFTAAR) for patented, eco‑friendly bioproducts      targeting fruit fly, bruchid, and termite management.

· Holder of 4 product patents in plant protection innovations.

· Managing Trustee of AVIAN Trust, leading initiatives in education, environment, and agricultural outreach.

• Co‑Editor‑in‑Chief of Insect Environment     journal, promoting insect conservation and sustainable practices.
• Actively networks with agri‑startups, shelves ICAR/SAU tested products, and      provides farmer training through the Shreenidhi Plant Health Clinic,      Devanahalli, Bengaluru rural.

Impact

• 239 citations,  h‑index 8 in scientific publications.
• Led Rashvee‑IPRS’s      award‑winning biocontrol outreach, benefiting 20,000+ farmers     across Karnataka and neighboring districts.
• Enabled >7000  residue‑free export shipments to seven countries, ensuring global      phytosanitary compliance.
• Eco‑friendly      solutions now protect 38,000+ acres of fruit crops, reducing losses      and boosting farmer income.
• Recognized      nationally for maintaining high standards and promoting sustainability.
• The Rashvee      Plant Health Clinic is a unique farmer extension hub located near Devanahalli,   Karnataka, combining input delivery with a laboratory for diagnostics.
• Provides free consultation   services to farmers, strengthening trust and accessibility.
• Serves 6,500+ progressive      farmers across 10,000+ acres, focusing on pre-harvest insect      management for crops such as mangoes, pomegranates, grapes, guavas,      tomatoes, bananas, and flowers.
• Acts as the outreach arm of      Rashvee IPRS, bridging science, innovation, and farmer welfare.

Dr Rashmi has been honoured with following awards : 

• Appreciation Certificate – Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Best Biologicals category (2025)
• Best Women-Led Innovation Award – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) (2025)
• Outstanding Extension Work in Biological Control – Society for Biocontrol Advancement, ICAR‑NBAIR (2025)
• Udyami Vokkalliga Award – First Circle (2025)
• Fellow of AAPMHE – Association for Advancement of Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystems (AAPMHE) – ICAR‑IIHR (2024)
• Women Excellence Award (Agri-entrepreneur category) – Greenotsav, Sparsha Foundation & Nexus Mall, Bengaluru (2024)
• Agriculture Excellence Award – ICL Fertilizers India Pvt. Ltd. (2024)
• Certificate of Excellence – Agri Search India Pvt. Ltd. (2024)
• Agri‑tech Ignite Award (SIT) – NSTEDB, Department of Science & Technology (DST), GoI (2024)
• Best Paper Presentation – For research on pest‑free pathways & global phytosanitary standards at International Conference on Plant Protection in Horticulture, ICAR‑IIHR (2024)
• Outstanding Agricultural Extension Scientist Award – BVD Foundation, Chennai (2023)
• Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) Award – BIRAC, DBT, GoI (2022)
• Entrepreneurship Award – B. Vasantharaj David Foundation (2022)
• Environmental Scientist Award – Recent Advances in Agriculture & Allied Sciences, Pharmaceutical & Environmental Sciences (2021)
• Young Scientist Award – B. Vasantharaj David Foundation (2020)
• Young Entomologist Award – Agricultural & Environmental Technology Development Society (AETDS), Uttarakhand (2020)
• Best Oral Presentation – IVth International Conference on Insect Science, Bangalore (2013)
• Insect Environment Award for Excellence in Insect Studies – Insect Environment (2013)
• PURSE Award – Department of Science & Technology (2010)
• Walk an Extra Mile Award – Monsanto Research Centre, Monsanto India Ltd. (2009)
• Best Poster Award – Ethological Society of India, National Symposium on Biotechnological & Bio‑rational Approaches for Pest Management in Agriculture & 33rd Annual Conference (2009)

Rashmi M.A 

E mail:  rashmigowda.ento@gmail.com 

Mobile: 9036608527