MSSRF Celebrates World Food Day 2025 with The Wayanad District Tribal Development Action Council (WDTDAC)

The Wayanad District Tribal Development Action Council (WDTDAC), a grassroots institution supported by the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), celebrated World Food Day at Kuzhimuku Adivasi Unnathi, as part of the MSS Centenary Lecture Series.

The program began with a welcome address by N.M. Balan, Secretary of WDTDAC. Devaghi, President of WDTDAC, presided over the function, along with key community leaders Latha, Gopalakrishnan, and Radha E.

A keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Anu Viswanath, a healthcare professional, who spoke on the importance of health and nutrition. Her talk emphasized the role of Neglected and Underutilized Crops (NUCs), including leafy greens, tubers, and traditional vegetables, in addressing malnutrition—particularly among tribal communities.

As part of the celebration, WDTDAC organized an exhibition of NUCs, showcasing the region's rich agrobiodiversity and the community’s efforts in preserving and promoting traditional food systems.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Govindan, on behalf of Kuzhimuku Unnathi.

This celebration not only honored World Food Day but also highlighted the vital connection between traditional knowledge, food diversity, and community health, in alignment with the vision of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan.