Weeds continue to pose a greater threat to cropped and non-cropped ecosystems. Inspite of several methods of weed management, chemical weed control is still the most sought-after measure. However, in recent times the evolution of herbicide resistance in several weeds have been reported. Changing global climate scenario has resulted in weed flora shifts, poor efficacy of herbicides, change in cropping systems etc. This warrants integration of several weed management practices like preventive, mechanical, cultural and chemical methods. Due to climate change it has been observed that transplanted rice is giving way to direct-seeded rice, wherein weed management is a challenging task. Invasive and parasitic weeds are also major challenge to management due to lack of effective control measures. This conferences envisages exchange of new information, ideas and novel technologies in the field of weed science.

The Indian Society of Weed Science (ISWS) established in 1968 is a non-profit professional society. It promotes research, education, and extension outreach activities related to weeds; provides science-based information to the public and policy makers; create awareness on management of obnoxious weeds in the country through organizing conferences and seminars. This biennial conference will provide an excellent opportunity to all stakeholders dealing with different aspects of weeds, to share their ideas and learn from experiences of experts. The conference will also give an opportunity for reunion of members of ISWS from India and abroad as well.

Banaras Hindu University is an internationally reputed temple of learning, situated in the holy city of Varanasi. This Creative and innovative university was founded by the great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, in 1916 with cooperation of great personalities like Dr Annie Besant, who viewed it as the University of India. Banaras Hindu University was created under the Parliamentary legislation - B.H.U. Act 1915. It played a stellar role in the independence movement and has developed into the greatest center of learning in India. It has produced many great freedom fighters and builders of modern India and has immensely contributed to the progress of the nation through a large number of renowned scholars, artists, scientists and technologists who have graced its portals.

The area of the main campus of this premiere Central University is 1300 acres, having well maintained roads, extensive greenery, a temple, an air strip and buildings which are an architectural delight. The Air Field of the campus was started for military training for flying during the Second World War. Another campus of the university at Barkachha , in Mirzapur district, covering an area of 2700 acres is coming up. The university comprises 5 Institutes, 14 Faculties 140 Departments, 4 Interdisciplinary Centers a constituent college for women's and 3 Constituents Schools, spanning a vast range of subjects pertaining to all branches of humanities, social sciences, technology, medicine ,science, fine arts and performing arts. It has 6 centers of Advanced Studies, 10 Departments under Special Assistance Programme and a large number of specialized Research Centers. Four Degree Colleges of the city are affiliated to the University. The Bharat Kala Bhavan, a reputed museum of the university, is a treasure trove of rare collections. The 927 bed hospital of the University is equipped with all the modern amenities. The university provides a wide range of facilities for sport and hobbies, has large playgrounds, a big auditorium, a flying club and many auxiliary services and units like Printing Press, Publication Cell, Fruit Preservation Center, Subsidized Canteens, Employment and Information Bureau, Security, Atal Incubation centre, Design and innovation Cell (DIC) and discovery building for innovation ,collaboration and entrepreneurship development.

The University family consists of about 15000 students belonging to all streams of life, castes and religions and races, about 1700 teachers, and nearly 8000 non-teaching staff A large number of students from foreign countries like the U.S.A, the countries of Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa etc., come to study here. The university has taken a leadership role in promoting new ideas, the spirit of integration of the world, and cultivation of intellect and culture. Banaras Hindu University is small virtually the universe in microcosm. BHU has been continuously placed in 3rd rank since 2018 among 10 top intuitions in India as per NIRF 2020

Considering the problem of weeds in crop fields and need for weed research in India, a Coordinated Weed Control Scheme on Wheat, Rice and Sugarcane was initiated as early as 1952 in 11 States of the country by the ICAR to monitor the weed flora and also to find out the relative feasibility of economical weed control. Later, a number of Crop Research Institutes of ICAR and State Agricultural Universities were involved in weed control research. Different State Agricultural Universities also initiated the syllabus for weed management at under graduate and post-graduate level to teach and train students and researchers in weeds and their management. It was in 1978 the Weed Research Programme was strengthened through All India Coordinated Research Programme on Weed Control by the ICAR in collaboration with the United States Deptt. of Agriculture. Initially, six centres were started at different state agricultural universities (SAU) for a period of six years. Later seven more centres in II phase and nine more centres in III phase were added during 1982-83 and 1985-86 respectively for a period of five years each. The programme was continued with plan funds of ICAR. This project assisted farming community through the scientific technologies developed, which are effectively utilized for alleviating the yield losses due to weeds in field crops. The research programme tackled problems of weed management for which facilities were not available at different centres. In VII Plan, it was decided to establish a National Research Centre for basic as well as applied research in Weed Science in India. Accordingly, the National Research Centre for Weed Science (NRCWS) was approved during the middle of VII Five Year Plan with a total outlay of Rs. 64 lakhs. Approval of Govt. of India for establishing NRCWS was conveyed vide DARE letter no. 13-13/85/AFC, dtd. November 14,1986. The Centre actually came into existence on 22.04.1989 as National Research Centre for Weed Science (NRCWS) with the following mandate. NRCWS was further upgraded by the Council as Directorate of Weed Science Research (DWSR) vide its letter no. 14-3/2007-IA.II dated 23.01.2009.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare , Government of India. Formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture. The ICAR has its headquarters at New Delhi.

The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. With 113 ICAR institutes and 74 agricultural universities spread across the country this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world. The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering Green Revolution and subsequent developments in agriculture in India through its research and technology development that has enabled the country to increase the production of foodgrains by 6.21 times, horticultural crops by 11.53 times, fish by 21.61 times, milk by 13.01 times and eggs by 70.74 times since 1950-51 to 2021-22, thus making a visible impact on the national food and nutritional security. It has played a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture.

It is engaged in cutting edge areas of science and technology development and its scientists are internationally acknowledged in their fields.