In 1997, MSSRF established its first Community Agrobiodiversity Centre in Wayanad district of Kerala to work on ‘community biodiversity management’ by promoting a coalition of the concerned, notably, government departments and voluntary organizations for the conservation of the genetic wealth of Wayanad and surrounding region.

The Biodiversity Programme goal is to promote conservation of biodiversity and create sustainable livelihoods for the poor and vulnerable communities living in the biodiversity ‘hotspots’ of peninsular India. The rationale of the programme can be better captured in a statement made by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan in 1992. He said, “We can neither sustain a national food security system nor face the challenge of climate change, if we fail to conserve and utilize in a sustainable manner our genetic wealth in flora, fauna and micro-organisms”.

After the devastating Tsunami of 26th December 2004, MSSRF had initiated activities related to immediate relief measures, efforts which included restarting livelihoods, agronomic rehabilitation, support for nutrition and education of orphan children, etc., based on the needs expressed by the coastal communities.

Ms. D.S. Girija
Village Resource Centre
pillaiyarkuppam_vrc@rediffmail.com
M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation