Wayanad, October 29, 2017:  A forum on framing the Action Plan for “Carbon Neutral Wayanad” was inaugurated by Dr.T.M.Thomas Issac, Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala at  the MSSRF Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CAbC), Wayanad, Kerala..The context of earlier discussions was recalled by Shri. Ajith Mathai (designation). There was a panel discussion on developing market value chain for Wayanad shade coffee -problems and prospects. Dr. N.Anil Kumar, Senior Director, MSSRF welcomed the gathering while Prof. M.K.Prasad (designation) chaired the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Issac said  carbon neutrality in Wayanad was  made possible        by the scientific intervention and implementation of methodologies,  including  afforestration of indigenous trees species,which prove to be helpful in carbon sequestration. This was particularly so in shade coffee ecosystem, helping conserve and improve the natural biodiversity of the ecosystem. Carbon neutrality itself should emerge as a new brand for Wayanad Coffee in the market, he said

While farmers were getting lower prices for their produce,  branding of the produce would help community  fetch higher price in the market, said Dr Isaac.

Shri. C.K. Saseendran, MLA, Kalpetta, Dr.S.C.Joshi IFS (Rtd.),Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Shri.Balagopal IAS, (Rtd.),Shri. Karuthamani, Deputy Director, Coffee Research Station, Smt.Shajna, Assistant Conservator, Social Forestry, ShriJayakumar Thanal, Shri.David Hogg, Chief Sustainability Officer, Nandi Foundation, Shri.P.K.Mayan Mohammed, Managing Director, The Western India Plywoods Ltd, Dr. V.Balakrishnan, Head, CAbC MSSRF, Wayanad and Dr.G.N.Hariharan,Director-Biotechnology, MSSRF  spoke on the occasion.People’s representatives, farmer representatives, planters, coffee traders, producer companies, NGOS and scientists participated in the programme.