M S Swaminathan Research Foundation - MSSRF

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

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

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।

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.

30/08/2026

How can cities be more resilient to climate change? MSSRF invited Manushi Ashok Jain and Praveen Raj from the Sponge Collaborative to share their experience in a talk for World Water Week



Image credits: Sponge Collaborative

29/08/2026

We are grateful to everyone who made the 2026 on Building Gender-Just Land, Food and Water Systems a success.

We convened diverse voices on a global stage. We brought together 12 research and academic institutions, 11 CSOs and NGOs, 2 UN agencies, 7 government departments and public institutions, to shape conversations around women and their pivotal role in agriculture and marked the International Year of the Woman Farmer. We had farmers, fishers, researchers, and scientists share their expertise and valuable insights.

We look forward to sharing the emerging learnings and proceedings of the conference.

28/08/2026

By delinking land ownership from one’s status as a farmer, The Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act 2026 opens doors for lakhs of women in agriculture, fisheries and allied activities.

Listen as Dr. Soumya Swaminathan explains the gender gaps in our agricultural landscape, how the Govt. Of Maharashtra drafted this landmark legislation with MSSRF, and how it unlocks women farmers’ access to government schemes.

🎙️ Available on The Hindu’s In Focus podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9EMFtPzvjc&t=3s

28/08/2026

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan breaks down the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act 2026 with The Hindu.

27/08/2026

🌱 STARTING SOON
Join us for a conversation with architects Manushi Jain (Listed in Forbes 30 under 30, 2022) and Praveen Raj (Winner of the American Architecture Prize) from the Sponge Collaborative on “Building Climate Resilience in Indian Cities”— exploring the transformation of the 16.6-acre Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Wetland Eco Park, Porur, into a climate-resilient blue-green infrastructure project.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86091138415?pwd=UfKJritfc4A2SzHYXp0D9vAayJPEHG.1
Meeting ID: 860 9113 8415
Passcode: 456467

How can our cities adapt to a changing climate?

The MS Swaminathan Wetland Eco Sponge Park in Porur is an example of a climate-resilient intervention that helps manage flooding while providing a valuable community space and a refuge for birds. The architects of the park, Manushi Ashok Jain and Praveen Raj from the Sponge Collaborative share their experience in a talk for World Water Week:

Talk title: Building Climate Resilience in Indian Cities

About the talk: Indian cities are facing increasing climate risks from extreme rainfall, flooding, heat and the rapid loss of natural ecosystems. Building climate resilience therefore requires moving beyond conventional infrastructure towards integrated, nature-based approaches that work with existing ecological systems. This talk will share the story of the Wetland Eco Park, including some of the challenges, learnings and processes behind the project, while also looking at some other ongoing work and how these projects are contributing to a broader shift towards more resilient and ecologically responsive urban environments.

Join us as we celebrate World Water Week as observed by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) this year on the theme ‘Water for People and Progress’.


📅 27 August 2026 | 3:00-4:30 PM
📍 Sambasivan Auditorium, MSSRF, Chennai, or online
🔗 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/XtvWq0sTJ0



Picture credit: Reddit