M S Swaminathan Research Foundation - MSSRF

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation - MSSRF M S Swaminathan Research Foundation M S Swaminathan Research Foundation is a non-profit research organization established in 1988. Founded by Professor M. S.
(1)

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) has been developing and following a pro-nature, pro-poor, pro-women and pro-sustainable on-farm and non-farm livelihoods through appropriate ecotechnology and knowledge empowerment. Swaminathan with proceeds from the First World Food Prize that he received in 1987, the Foundation aims to to accelerate use of modern science for agricultural and rural deve

lopment. The Foundation applies appropriate science and technology options to address practical problems faced by rural populations in spheres of agriculture, food and nutrition. These efforts have been undertaken in a participatory manner in partnership with other knowledge-based institutions, public and private sector organisations and local communities. Professor Swaminathan is a Fellow of many of the leading scientific academies of India and the world, including the Royal Society of London and the U S National Academy of Sciences. He has received 58 honorary doctorate degrees from universities around the world. He currently holds the UNESCO Chair in Ecotechnology at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai (Madras), India

“I have been farming from a very young age, but my knowledge about agriculture was based on tradition rather than any sc...
07/09/2026

“I have been farming from a very young age, but my knowledge about agriculture was based on tradition rather than any scientific reasoning,” says Ms. Muthulakshmi, a paddy farmer from Pudukottai.

In recent years, she has harnessed agricultural technology and scientific crop cultivation to turn a profit on her farm. Read her story here: https://mssrf.org/mssrf-media

The genus Lagenandra Dalzell (Family: Araceae) has significant medicinal and horticultural potential, but the diversity ...
06/09/2026

The genus Lagenandra Dalzell (Family: Araceae) has significant medicinal and horticultural potential, but the diversity and the prospects of Lagenandra in the South Western Ghats regions are largely under-documented.

On a recent floristic exploration in Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, interesting specimens of Lagenandra with inflorescences featuring a coiled limb were discovered. This paper presents diagnostic morphological characters, distribution, and images.

MSSRF authors Pichan Mohammed Salim, and co-authors Saranya Jaya & Jose Mathew discovered the species.

Read the paper: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v24i74.e59s1564

Announcing the Distinguished Jury for the Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar: JSW Foundation–MSSRF National Award for Women i...
05/09/2026

Announcing the Distinguished Jury for the Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar: JSW Foundation–MSSRF National Award for Women in Agriculture 2026.

Dr R. A. Mashelkar, Eminent Mentor – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee

Dr Renu Swarup, Jury Chair – Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India

Shri T. Nanda Kumar, IAS (Retd.) – Former Agriculture Secretary, Government of India, and former Chairman, NDDB

Prof Nitya Rao – Scholar of gender, rural livelihoods and food systems

Prof Sanjay Zodpey – President, Public Health Foundation of India

Mr R. Pavithra Kumar – CEO, JSW Foundation

Ms Mayfereen Ryntathiang – Founder, Grassroot Shillong

The award is a national recognition platform honouring women and women-led institutions whose work is strengthening agriculture, allied livelihoods, food systems, biodiversity, climate resilience, nutrition security and rural communities across India. Its distinctive focus is on field-grounded women and institutions whose knowledge, labour, leadership and innovation may not yet have received national visibility but are already shaping India’s agrarian and rural future.

To learn more about the award visit https://mssrf.org/mahila-krishi-shakti-puraskar

Studies and field trials have shown that bioinoculant products often produce unpredictable results in improving yields, ...
05/09/2026

Studies and field trials have shown that bioinoculant products often produce unpredictable results in improving yields, nutrient use, or disease control, even when the same product is used on the same crop. This unpredictability has led many farmers, advisors, and policymakers to question their value.

This review offers a way to create more predictable and reliable bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture.

MSSRF researchers Suvendu Das and Rengalakshmi Raj, co-authored this paper with Pankaj Prakash Verma from Composite Testing Laboratories and Pil Joo Kim from Gyeongsang National University

Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2026.128693

The overreliance on fertilisers and pesticides has driven biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and water pollution. In t...
04/09/2026

The overreliance on fertilisers and pesticides has driven biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and water pollution. In this book chapter, the authors recommend a more sustainable solution – adopting border co-cropping tailored to local agronomic and landscape conditions.

MSSRF's authors Pakkirisamy, M., Girija, D.S., Saravanaraman, Rengalakshmi Raj jointly wrote this chapter with co-authors M., Willcox, and B.K., Senapathi, D from University of Reading,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2024-0-01844-9

We are pleased to share that MSSRF is the recipient of the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Award – 2026. Conferred by the Dr YSR...
03/09/2026

We are pleased to share that MSSRF is the recipient of the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Award – 2026.

Conferred by the Dr YSR & Dr KVP Foundation at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, this award recognises MSSRF’s significant contribution to Indian agriculture, food security, sustainable development and rural livelihoods.

We accept this award as an honour and a responsibility as we continue in our commitment to bring science-led solutions to the farmers, fishers and tribal communities who need them most.

About the Award: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/dr-ysr-foundation-to-confer-2026-award-on-ms-swaminathan-foundation/articleshow/133520379.cms

03/09/2026

What are PM10 and PM2.5 particles composed of, and how can they impact our health? Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains this in the fourth episode of Science Simply.

Watch the latest Episode: Air Pollution, the Invisible Health Crisis, on YouTube
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah1WEvxh-KU&t=28s

It’s been a busy and inspiring few months at MSSRF, and we’re happy to share our milestones with you—stories of progress...
02/09/2026

It’s been a busy and inspiring few months at MSSRF, and we’re happy to share our milestones with you—stories of progress, partnership and people shaping the future of agriculture and rural India.

A few highlights from the latest edition of MSSRF’s Newsletter:
✔️The Women Farmers’ Empowerment Act 2026 marks a significant milestone for the rights and recognition of women farmers.
✔️Voices at the MSSRF Annual Conference spotlighted women farmers’ critical role in agriculture.
✔️The JSW Foundation–MSSRF Award, Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar, seeks nominations to recognise women shaping agriculture and allied fields.

Explore the full newsletter here:https://mssrf.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/MSSRF%20Sept%20NL.pdf

आप किसी ऐसी महिला किसान या महिलाओं द्वारा चलाई जा रही संस्था को जानते हैं जो खेती और ग्रामीण विकास के क्षेत्र में अहम यो...
01/09/2026

आप किसी ऐसी महिला किसान या महिलाओं द्वारा चलाई जा रही संस्था को जानते हैं जो खेती और ग्रामीण विकास के क्षेत्र में अहम योगदान दे रही हैं?

उन्हें 'महिला कृषि शक्ति पुरस्कार 2026' के लिए नॉमिनेट करें! सिर्फ़ 15 दिन बचे हैं!

https://mssrf.org/mahila-krishi-shakti-puraskar

पुरस्कार पाने वाली महिलाओं और संस्थाओं को JSW फ़ाउंडेशन (JSW Foundation) और MSSRF की ओर से संयुक्त रूप से एक अवॉर्ड और ₹3 लाख से ₹7 लाख तक की इनामी राशि दी जाएगी। साथ ही, उन्हें राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर पहचान मिलेगी और ग्रामीण भारत में काम कर रही महिला किसानों के बढ़ते समुदाय से जुड़ने का मौका भी मिलेगा।

MSSRF is advancing community-led solutions along India’s coast through two new initiatives. In Cuddalore, 150 artificial...
01/09/2026

MSSRF is advancing community-led solutions along India’s coast through two new initiatives.

In Cuddalore, 150 artificial reef modules have been deployed to create habitats for marine life and support fish populations with the support of Azim Premji Foundation. Additional reef modules were also deployed off the coast of Mayiladuthurai near Perumalpettai village.

At the same time, the Spokes of Fish for All Incubation Hub supported by Amansa Capital, Singapore, is helping fisherwormen improve dry fish quality, add value to their products and access higher- value domestic and export markets.

These efforts link healthy marine ecosystems with stronger livelihoods for coastal communities.

Address

3rd Cross Street Institutional Area, Taramani
Chennai
600113

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+914422541698

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when M S Swaminathan Research Foundation - MSSRF posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to M S Swaminathan Research Foundation - MSSRF:

Shortcuts

Share