A series of communication technology initiatives that have helped over one lakh fisherfolk across Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Odisha access information for better livelihood, safety, access to markets and schemes is now set to roll out in Kerala. 

The need to have a co-ordinated approach to across the Asia Pacific region to tackle hunger and malnutrition, was the main theme that emerged from the speakers at the International Conference on Family Farming on achieving the Zero Hunger Challenge held at M S Swaminathan Foundation in Chennai today.

Chennai, August 7, 2014: Ministerial delegates from the Asia-Pacific Region and over 200 senior diplomats, academicians and representatives from international and national organizations gather in Chennai today, for a four-day consultation on “Achieving the Zero Hunger Challenge” at M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). The consultation is organized in the context of the UN “International Year of Family Farming” (IYFF) being observed this year. MSSRF is organizing the event in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, World Food Programme (WFP), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Department for International Development (DFID) UK, UN Women, Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium other national and international agencies. Key Speakers at the Consultation include: Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of IFAD Ertharin Cousin Executive Director, United Nations World Food Programme Hiroyuki Konuma, FAO Regional Representative for Asia-Pacific Shenggen Fan, Director General, IFPRI Estrella Penunia, Secretary General, Asian Farmers’ Association Dr Mahmoud Solh, ICARDA, Director General Hoonae Kim, Director Asia and the Pacific, IFAD Ms. Lise Grande, UN Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative in India Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Emeritus Chairman and Chief Mentor, MSSRF Dr. Rebecca Reichman Tavares, Regional Representative, UN Women Dr. Pravesh Sharma, Managing Director, SFAC Mr. Torben Due, India Country Director, WFP Dr. Peter E. Kenmore, Representative in India, FAO Thiru Agri S. S. Krishnamoorthy, Agriculture Minister, Tamil Nadu delivers a special address and releases the report of MSSRF for the year. Speaking about the event recently, Professor M S Swaminathan, Founder and Chief Mentor, MSSRF, referred to this as “the largest-ever gathering of ministerial delegates and experts, in recent years” and emphasized the importance of the IYFF. “Family farming offers an effective and economic solution to help meet the challenge of making sure that each person has access not just to calories but to nutritious food. With an estimated 500 million family farms across the world, we are looking at the role 2 billion people play, in achieving nutrition security.” The conference consists of 5 plenary sessions dealing with themes of sustainability, gender, profitability, nutrition and technology in relation to family farming. State Agriculture Minister Thiru Agri Krishnamurthy, ministers /ministerial delegates from Afghanistan, Australia, Cambodia, Fiji, Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating. With an estimated 8 billion mouths to feed by 2025, experts at the consultation will come up with a Chennai Declaration with recommendations for Governments and stakeholders in the region. Established in 1988, with proceeds from the First World Food Prize that Professor Swaminathan received in 1987, MSSRF applies science and technology options to address practical problems faced by rural populations in agriculture, food and nutrition, impacting livelihood of 100,000 farmers and fisherfolk every day with influence that spreads across 18 countries. For more information contact: Jayashree, Head – Media Resource Centre, (+91 44) 22541698, (+91) 9840050444, info@mssrf.res.in www.mssrf.org/iyff Twitter @mssrf

In a global recognition of the Foundation’s work in water and food security initiatives, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, was placed second at the global Humanitarian Water and Food Award (WAF) for its Community Managed Bio industrial Watersheds initiative.

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.