Chennai, September 10, 2020: For over three decades the Centre for Research on Agriculture and Rural Development has made contributions to various aspects of scientific development in the state of Tamil Nadu. The 33rd AGM of Centre for Research on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (CRSARD) Society, held today, recorded the appreciation for the various activities undertaken under the banner of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in research over the past one year.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof M S Swaminathan, President of the society recorded his appreciation that the society with centres in Chennai and in Delhi was functioning well. “Responsibility needs to be delivered well, since the society is managing public funds. All journals now are focusing on the gap between know-how and do-how, on connecting science to society. It is only due to support from scholars, scientists that this link is possible. While MSSRF (the Foundation) is a trust, the society is a registered body under the Tamil Nadu govt, therefore we are responsible to both state and Central Government, he said.

The Executive Director, MSSRF Dr K S Murali in his presentation spoke about the recent progress. Updates on mangrove conservation, management and establishing the mangrove genetic resource conservation centre; the work of connecting farmers in Vedaranyam through PANNAI app for pest and disease forewarning, while celebrating the 10th year of the Fish for All centre in Poompuhar and multi-storey mixed farm initiative in Kolli Hills were work taken up in Tamil Nadu during the year.

Over the past three decades, some of the significant work taken up by CRSARD including scientific research on sea level rise in Tamil Nadu, working with Small Farmers for agribusiness initiatives, on horticulture, poultry and medicinal plants in partnership with national institutions and government organizations. CRSARD has also conducted work on coral reefs through partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

At the AGM today, representatives including Vice Chancellor, Madras University, Prof S Gowri, Dr Cecilia Joseph, representing the VC from TANUVAS, Dr S Kanmani, representing the VC from Anna University, Dr Sada Sakthi representing the VC Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Dr A A Nambi and Mr S K Sethu were present on the occasion. Dr Malavika Vinodkumar Treasurer, CRSARD and Secretary, Mr G Venkataramani presented the annual accounts and the minutes of the earlier meeting respectively.

Prof Swaminathan recorded his appreciation to all the staff members and scholars who have made the work possible, adding that the focus this year was on Agriculture Nutrition and Health which had great opportunity due to the biodiversity in the country. In 1990, The Centre for Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (CRSARD) was launched as a registered society to carry out MSSRF’s research and training goals.