Spotlight series: M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF)
17th May 2016
This week we turn our attention to M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in India, for our Spotlight series. The series profiles research organisations based in developing countries.
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) began with the proceeds of the first World Food Prize that Professor M S Swaminathan was awarded in 1987. The Foundation was formally registered in 1988 with the vision of harnessing science for sustainable development.
The work that MSSRF does is focused on linking science and society. It uses an integrated approach blending traditional knowledge systems with advanced technologies for achieving sustainable development. It emphasises food, agriculture and nutrition security at individual, household and community levels and promotes environmental sustainability and social and gender equity in all its development programmes. Leveraging scientific research and innovation, working closely with communities and facilitating mutual learning among technical experts and communities are key values in MSSRF’s work. MSSRF activities also facilitate the formation of grass root level organisations to ensure sustainability of activities beyond the intervention period.
Throughout 2014 MSSRF, has worked particularly to promote family farming. Through 2015, the International Year of Soil, it will focus on promoting sustainable and environment-friendly farming methods, helping to meet the zero hunger challenge and achieving the objectives of the SDGs. It also plans to advocate for the declaration of an International Year of Underutilised Crops by the UN, in partnership with relevant organisations.
With increasing pressure on food production driven by diminishing availability of land for agriculture, climate change, urban migration and a growing population, MSSRF research is examining the appropriate use of technology, biofortification, conserving biodiversity and agricultural innovations such as sea farming as part of the Foundation’s drive towards achieving nutrition security.
MSSRF works across South Asia to influence a variety of stakeholders – the rural and agricultural community, policy makers, scientific research organizations, the UN and other policy-making bodies for development.
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) began with the proceeds of the first World Food Prize that Professor M S Swaminathan was awarded in 1987. The Foundation was formally registered in 1988 with the vision of harnessing science for sustainable development.
The work that MSSRF does is focused on linking science and society. It uses an integrated approach blending traditional knowledge systems with advanced technologies for achieving sustainable development. It emphasises food, agriculture and nutrition security at individual, household and community levels and promotes environmental sustainability and social and gender equity in all its development programmes. Leveraging scientific research and innovation, working closely with communities and facilitating mutual learning among technical experts and communities are key values in MSSRF’s work. MSSRF activities also facilitate the formation of grass root level organisations to ensure sustainability of activities beyond the intervention period.
Throughout 2014 MSSRF, has worked particularly to promote family farming. Through 2015, the International Year of Soil, it will focus on promoting sustainable and environment-friendly farming methods, helping to meet the zero hunger challenge and achieving the objectives of the SDGs. It also plans to advocate for the declaration of an International Year of Underutilised Crops by the UN, in partnership with relevant organisations.
With increasing pressure on food production driven by diminishing availability of land for agriculture, climate change, urban migration and a growing population, MSSRF research is examining the appropriate use of technology, biofortification, conserving biodiversity and agricultural innovations such as sea farming as part of the Foundation’s drive towards achieving nutrition security.
MSSRF works across South Asia to influence a variety of stakeholders – the rural and agricultural community, policy makers, scientific research organizations, the UN and other policy-making bodies for development.