Blog

08 Feb

Chennai Oil Spill – Need for bioremediation: Prof M S Swaminathan

Chennai, February 08, 2017: The impact of recent oil spill in the Tamil Nadu coast is being examined by scientists for possible damage to marine biodiversity including micro-flora and fauna. Steps are being taken to clean the ocean water from the oil spill. In fact our preparedness for dealing with such ecological disasters in the ocean is not adequate. There is need for more work by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India on bioremediation techniques.

04 Feb

Rice - The Saviour of Food Security: Prof M S Swaminathan

February 4, 2017: The incoming chair of Tata Sons Shri N Chandrasekaran has made the important remark that farming can generate useful ideas for business and industry (ToI, 4 Feb 2017). He is mentioning it from practical experience, since according to him he has done a bit of farming. In this connection, we should be proud of the fact that one of the centers of origin of rice is India. Rice grows from the high altitudes of Himalayas to below sea level conditions in Kuttanad.

02 Feb

India takes the lead in Biodiversity Access and Benefit Sharing System

(The following article, is an abridged version of a commentary by MSSRF’s Prajeesh Parameswaran, that appeared in Current Science Volume 112 - Issue 01: 10 January 2017)

India has the highest number of Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCC) to provide foreign researchers, access to India’s Biodiversity. These researchers need apply under provisions of the Biological Diversity Act (2002). India must recognize the access permits with IRCC as per the Nagoya Protocol under Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

01 Feb

Union Budget 2017-18 and the Agrarian Crisis: Prof Swaminathan

Chennai, February 1, 2017: Keeping in view the problems faced by farm families, who comprise over 60% of our population, the Finance Minister has reiterated the Government’s resolve to help farmers double their income in another four years. The various measures suggested for doubling income include distribution of soil health cards, promotion of more crop per drop, increase in availability of credit, improved post-harvest processing and value addition and market reform. In all these cases, what is important is to attend to the principal need.

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M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
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Chennai 600 113, India
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