The response to CoViD-19 by MSSRF has been at different levels keeping in mind our mission as a scientific research for development institution that works with marginalized communities.

– Across various field sites, field staff have been supporting government initiatives to build awareness on the coronavirus and support ongoing prevention measures. Also, they have been supporting farming and fishing communities to carry out their work with required physical distancing mandate. It has been difficult since farmers rely on the regular connectivity to markets to ensure their livelihood and these have been disrupted due to ongoing transport and restrictions.

– At the policy level, we have been engaging with government, national and international development institutions besides with the media to support guidelines, frameworks and identify and address bottlenecks that affect especially the food and nutrition sector.

– At the scientific level – the institution has been partnering with national and global scientific fraternity to look at present, emerging and future concerns emerging out of the pandemic, especially in the context of food and nutrition security. We will keep you updated of all of these efforts.

Across the states where we work, we bring you some snapshots of supporting government efforts, building awareness and helping communities at this time.

Across India, technology played an important role with voice SMS, audio conferences, dial-in programs and radio used to maximum effect through the Village Knowledge Centres. Also there were partnerships with the government agriculture and fisheries departments, as well as with the Krishi Vigyan Kendras.  Thanks to these efforts, we managed to reach several thousand farmers across the country with COVID-specific information.

Kerala

Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CABC) of MSSRF in Wayanad, Kerala with two other institutions prepared hand sanitizer and handed over to the District administration

Odisha

Awareness programme on Covid-19 was organised at Village Knowledge Centre of MSSRF in Ganjam District of Odisha

In Koraput, Odisha, in Mr Nilakantha Kandki’s pond at Masiaguda village, MSSRF helped in fish harvesting while also maintaining physical distancing

An awareness campaign on Covid-19 was organised by the VKC at Chikarada, Odisha. The campaign focussed on hand wash and on the controlling measure to prevent the spread of the virus.  Voice SMS were disseminated through the VKCs to 3500 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam and Odisha

Awareness programme on hand wash was organised at Tentulipadar village in Boipariguda block in Koraput under the FSMK project. Wall posters were put up in the project villages in Koraput to create awareness on covid-19

Puducherry

Public Service Announcement on Covid-19 through wall posters at Panithittu, Puducherry

Self Help Group members at Puducherry producing masks for distribution

Tamil Nadu

MSSRF staff disseminated information on Covid-19 through the Cuddalore Emergency Radio section at Collector office to fisherfolk along with Fish for All (FFA) and INCOIS helpline number.  Awareness campaigns were organised also in Onankudi VKC jointly with the village panchayat and in Pudukottai in association with Indian Medical Association, NABARD, and Tamil Nadu Science Forum. The VKC in Pudukottai jointly with the Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu is organising a teleconference to address the issues in farming on Wednesday, April 01, 2020. The agriculture experts will participate in the teleconference from their respective palces, and the MSSRF staff will also organise the discussion from their residences.

MSSRF staff at Kolli Hills created a public service announcement poster to create awareness on coronavirus

MSSRF’s Poompuhar centre created awareness on coronavirus through posters and public service announcements

Credits

Design and Web: K Dileep, R Srinivasan Content: B Jayashree Contributors: MSSRF Staff

Print Version:  Supporting efforts to combat the coronavirus