A three-pronged action plan was suggested by experts and various stakeholders to address the issue of occupation-related health ailments among salt workers. This was the result of a consultative meeting held at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation here today.

A mobile application of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation that helps fisherfolk manage their livelihood better with information on weather, schemes, potential catch and borders has been awarded the mBillionth South Asia Award 2014. Supported by Qualcomm and in partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, the app developed by MSSRF was selected from among 300 entries from 9 South Asian countries.

Facilitated by MSSRF, the Farmer Producer Company in Jeypore region of Koraput district, Odisha named VIKASH MAHA SANGHA (VIMAS) was inaugurated by Dr. Narayan Hegde, Trustee MSSRF & Chairman BAIF foundation on 19th May, 2014 at MSSRF, Jeypore. The logo of VIMAS was launched by Dr Ajay Parida, Executive Director of MSSRF. VIMAS aims to create an apex level organization by federating organized groups (farmers groups, farmers clubs and Self Help Groups etc under different projects) into producer groups as base unit.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has named Prof.M S Swaminathan and Ms Saina Nehwal, Badminton player and Olympic Medalist, ICRISAT Ambassadors of Goodwill. As Ambassadors, they have agreed to champion the institute’s mission to make a difference by promoting science based agricultural solutions in the fight against poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics of the world. “ICRISAT plays an important role in achieving sustainable food, nutrition, economic and environmental security in the dryland tropics focusing on the need to empower resource poor farmers in a marginalized environment. I am therefore pleased and proud to be an Ambassador of Goodwill for the works and initiatives of ICRISAT”, said Prof. M S Swaminathan at the ceremony in Hyderbad on July 14, when the recognition was conferred on them by ICRISAT Director General Dr William D Dar.

Distinguished plant scientist, Dr Sanjaya Rajaram is the winner of the prestigious World Food Prize for 2014. Announcing this in Chennai, Professor M S Swaminathan, Founder MSSRF and Chair of the Global Jury for the World Food Prize, said “It is a pleasure to announce that the World Food Prize winner, is a person whose remarkable work saved millions of people from hunger and poverty. As a successor of Norman Borlaug, it is fitting that Dr Rajaram’s work gets this recognition, in a year when we are celebrating the centennial year of Borlaug.” Besides Professor Swaminathan other experts who have been associated with Dr Rajaram also spoke on the occasion.

The “Pattikaadu Agricultural Producer Company Ltd”, was launched by Dr Ajay Parida, Executive Director, MSSRF at Illupur, Pudukkottai , Tamil Nadu on 12th July. This is a joint venture by Producer organization (SVAPO) and Rural Women Entrepreneur Federation (RWEF). The producer company will help facilitate business linkages for greater profit for its members. Speaking at the launch, Dr. Ajay Parida said the Central Government had named 2014 as the year of producer organisations and allocated 200 cores across the country, for this purpose. He called upon community members to use this opportunity and contribute to the growth of the new company. Dr. Hopper, Director, Ecotechnology, Mr. Singaram, Joint Director, Department of Agriculture, Annavasal and Dr. Marimuthu, Asst. Professor, National Pulses Research Centre, spoke on the occasion. About 800 community members participated in the event. Earlier, during their joint 2nd annual day and general body meeting, Mr. Palaniappan, president of VAPO and Mrs. Nagalakshmi, President of RWEF, presented their annual reports and financial reports. New representatives were elected for 2014-2015.

A three-pronged action plan was suggested by experts and various stakeholders to address the issue of occupation-related health ailments among salt workers. This was the result of a consultative meeting held at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation here today.

Distinguished plant scientist, Dr Sanjaya Rajaram is the winner of the prestigious World Food Prize for 2014.

If you have just written your Class X exams and have a keen interest in nature, here is a green opportunity for you. The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) has announced an essay contest on “What can we do to address the issue of climate change” that will help select students for their annual camp on biodiversity, climate change and biotechnology.

To commemmorate the International Year of Family Farming an Asia-Pacific Conferene will be held at MSSSRF,Chennai on August, 2014. One of the major objectives of the confrence is the launch of Zero Hunger Programme in India.