• |
  • |
Donate Now

News and Events

A tribute to late Lee Kuan Yew, Founding Father of Singapore from Prof M S Swaminathan
28/03/2015

Much has been written and said about the unique qualities of this great leader who converted a small island into one of the most prosperous and corruption free nations on our planet. In 1985 I was invited by him to attend a consultation in Singapore to discuss how to increase jobs and income per square meter of land. He had assembled a group of 10-12 scientists to advise on how Singapore can become the Biotechnology capital of Asia, as a means of achieving his goal. I am recalling this to cite one example of the vision of this unparalleled leader.

Read More
Prof. Swaminathan salutes Vajpayee on Bharat Ratna
27/03/2015

Today is a proud day, as our President is honouring one of the greatest sons of the country, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with Bharat Ratna. Long before the UN started the zero hunger programme, Vajpayeeji releasing the Food Insecurity Atlas of Rural India, in 2002 said:

Read More
Prof Swaminathan calls for passing Women’s Reservation Bill
26/03/2015

Speaking at the event on "Land Rights for Women Farmers" in Chennai yesterday, Prof Swaminathan, Founder, MSSRF, reminded the Centre of the Constitution Amendment for Women providing for reservation of one-third of seats for women in the State Assemblies and in Parliament.

Read More
“Need Social Protection Committee (SPC) to prevent Farmer suicides”- Prof. M S Swaminathan
24/03/2015

There are reports that there is a 40% increase in farmers’ suicides in Maharashtra (particularly in Vidarbha) during the last 7 months. Farming is a life giving occupation. Hence there is something radically wrong. If farmers who keep us alive, take their own lives. This problem cannot be solved only by government. A Social Protection Committee (SPC) should be formed in every Panchayat which can help to take proactive action in preventing suicides. Those suffering from extreme depression as a result of crop failure and inability to repay loans should be identified by the SPC and preventive steps should be taken to avoid the extreme event.

Read More
Coping with natural calamities- Prof. Swaminathan
21/03/2015

Farmers and farming are the most affected by either deficiency or excess of precipitation as well as higher mean temperature. Proactive action is needed to help them to meet the challenge of climate change. As I pointed out in my Sardar Patel Memorial Lectures, of AIR in 1973, we need to develop drought, flood, and good weather codes to help to maximise the benefits of good weather and minimize the adverse impact of unfavourable weather. Panchayati Raj Institutions should be fully involved in developing and implementing climate risk management strategies.

Read More
Coping with natural calamities- Prof. Swaminathan
20/03/2015

There is considerable debate on this topic among Parliament Members and Farmers Organisations.

Read More
“Promote precision farming”- Prof. Swaminathan
19/03/2015

Unseasonal rainfall now and severe drought earlier have reduced yields in Vidarbha. Farmers are in a state of depression. In all such areas, we should promote precision farming involving higher productivity per units of land, water, nutrients and other inputs. This will help to improve the earning from a small holding through a steep drop in the amount spent on inputs.

Read More
Prof. M S Swaminathan’s reactions to the Union Budget 2015-16
28/02/2015

Indications of budget proposals and priorities are usually given in the address of the President of India at the Joint Session of Parliament. In his address, the President has stressed that Kisan is the sentinel of our food security and that value added agriculture, market reform, use of technology and improving productivity in areas with untapped potential are important. 2015 is the International Year of the Soil and the Government is proposing to issue soil health cards to all farm families.

Read More
“Payanam”Thanthi TV travels with MSSRF through rural India
27/02/2015

A refreshing journey through rural landscape, meeting with communities and learning more about their lives and agriculture is Thanthi TV’s new show “Payanam- via forest and field”.  Through the travels of the camera and the team, the show captures the impact of agriculture, change and innovation in each of the places it moves to.

Read More
NVA Fellows felicitated by Chief Minister of Pondicherry
16/02/2015

NVA Fellows felicitated by Chief Minister of Pondicherry and encouraged to carry out the task of developing their communities. They shared their ideas and stories with the chief minister who supported and encouraged them to develop and focus on the dairy sector in Pondicherry.

Read More
Best Village Award for Vinayagampet
09/02/2015

Vinayagampet, the village adopted by M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation under the Biovillage Programme, received the ''Best Child Village Award'' in Union Territory of Puducherry, for its “Holistic Development and Child Friendly Nature”.

Read More
NVA fellows being felicitated by the District collector in Pudukottai & Thanjavur Districts.
02/02/2015

On 2nd February, 2015 a cadre of grassroots academicians received the prestigious NVA Fellowship award from Prof. M.S. Swaminathan in Chennai.

Read More