Agriculture is the mainstay of the country. Agriculture sector plays prime role in the economic development of Nepal. More than 80% of the population in the country is engaged in Agriculture. The Government of Nepal is implementing a long-term Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP) to address the problem of widespread rural poverty and to increase growth rate in agriculture. The plan’s strategy is to take advantage of the country’s agro-climatic diversity through regional specialization and diversification of agricultural production. The introduction of suitable environment friendly technologies and management practices to intensify and enhance production is a part of the strategy. In this line, the APP has identified ‘Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the specific strategy of plant protection’.

Agricultural crops have been prone to damage due to harmful insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes, rodents from time immemorial. Outbreak of insect pests & disease is common phenomena in commercial agriculture. Government of Nepal have given top priority in various plan periods for Plant Protection Sector. Plant Protection and Industrial Entomology Division was established in 2044 B.S. (1993). Under the Department of Agriculture (DoA). A separate Plant Protection Division was sought & established accordingly in 2052 BS (1996). Likewise Plant Protection Division has been changed into Plant Protection Directorate (PPD) 2057 BS (2001) Plant Protection Directorate is also the official contact point for International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and recognized as the focal point for National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)

The PPD is designed as the Government agency responsible for the programme implementation on the Plant Protection sector. In addition to its representation at the district level, through Plant Protection Officers, the Directorate is responsible for four national level programme - the Office of the Registrar of Pesticides, the Plant Quarantine Programme and Regional Plant Protection Laboratories for implementation of the programme.