M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

2006-07 has been a significant year in the evolution of MSSRF. New research and training facilities were created at Jeypore in Koraput District, Orissa and at Kalpetta in Wayanad in Kerala. A Medicinal Plants
Garden and Research Centre dedicated to the memory of the late Shri Biju Patnaik, builder of modern Kalinga (Orissa), was inaugurated by Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa on 14 April, 2007. This is a unique centre which will foster studies on the interaction between biodiversity and cultural diversity. In addition, the Centre will help to establish the first herbal biovalley in India, designed to empower tribal women and men to link biodiversity, biotechnology and business in a mutually reinforcing manner. The work carried out by the tribal families in the Koraput district in the area of genetic resources conservation and enhancement, with particular reference to rice, earned them the first Genome Saviour Award instituted by the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Authority, India. This is a matter of particular pride, since the proposal to link the rights of breeders and farmers in the same Act originated from MSSRF which prepared the first draft of this landmark legislation.