The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) has won the social development award – 2017 instituted by the Department of Biotechnology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
Union Minister for Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan presented the award to MSSRF Executive Director V. Selvam and head of the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre of the MSSRF, Wayanad, V. Balakrishnan in New Delhi on Friday.
The organisation was selected for the award for the execution of a host of programmes and projects in 10 villages in Wayanad since 1997, which has now spread to more than 80 villages benefiting more than 2,200 families.
The MSSRF in partnership with the Biotechnology and Microbiology Department of Kannur University, headed by A.Sabu, is executing a project on black pepper and ginger production enhancement in tribal areas of the district. The project has resulted in developing a women-friendly and low-cost solid state fermenter, which can be worked manually and with the use of locally available agricultural byproducts.
“The award money will be utilised for the promotion of organic agricultural practices in the district with focus on ginger and pepper,” N.Anil Kumar, senior director of the MSSRF said.