M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

The year covered by this Report was marked by considerable progress in the research, training, sustainable rural development, gender mainstreaming and policy advocacy programmes of the Foundation. The details
of the work done are given in the later pages. This Introduction aims to capture a few significant events and accomplishments.
In the area of infrastructure development the building of the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre at Kalpetta, Wayanad, Kerala, represents a significant landmark (see back cover). This is probably the first of its kind in the country, explicitly devoted to the cause of the revitalisation of the in situ on-farm conservation traditions of tribal and rural families. Provision exists in the draft legislation
relating to both the Biodiversity Act and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, now under the consideration of the Parliament of India,' for according recognition and reward to holders of traditional knowledge and conservers of bioresources. The Kalpetta Centre, working under the guidance
of a local Management Advisory Committee headed by Mr A Ratnam, an outstanding leader of sustainable and scientific farming, has stimulated interest in the conservation of medicinal plants with particular emphasis on medicinal rice varieties and local health traditions, by creating an economic stake in conservation among tribal and rural women and men.