The role that bees play in determining the very existence of life on Earth is immense. May 20 is observed as #WorldBeeDay every year to raise awareness about the unparalleled role these tiny creatures play in the world's food security and biodiversity. The @UN has chosen to remember Anton Janša, known as the pioneer of modern beekeeping, as World Bee Day. On this special day, we share Dr. Vipin Das’ article highlighting the hard work and realities behind beekeeping and honey collection. This ground report, published in 'Village Square', talks about the bittersweet journeys in search of honey and the challenges faced in this sector. Read the article here: villagesquare.in/the-bitter-…

In our latest newsletter, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) highlights the vital role of community seed banks in preserving agricultural knowledge—and women's power as key conservators. ➡️ Dive in: mssrf.org/newsletter Highlights: • 10th Wayanad Community Seed Festival honours women seed keepers #IYWF2026 • Unlocking AI's potential for women farmers at #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 • Fisheries Fair bridges science, policy, and #fishers • Women farmers spotlighted at Maharashtra Stakeholder Consultation @cabcmssrf @Fishforallmssrf #womenfarmers

The 10th Wayanad Community Seed Fest opened with a strong call to protect indigenous seeds, reinforce community‑led conservation, and uphold farmers’ rights. Leaders from #KSCSTE, and the Kerala State Planning Board stressed the need for policies that safeguard traditional seed‑sharing practices and reshape India’s agricultural landscape. Speakers shared how rural communities continue to shape Kerala’s seed heritage through everyday innovation, with a need for close collaboration between farmers and researchers, leading to the steady evolution of climate‑resilient crops. They also emphasised the value of decentralised seed systems that grow from community knowledge rather than external control. With Wayanad’s diverse farming traditions at the heart of the festival, the inaugural is setting a strong, forward‑looking vision: protecting agrobiodiversity, empowering indigenous farmers, and ensuring seeds remain in the hands of the people.

Athikolli Seed Village cluster & Wayanad, Tribal Dvt Committee took lead in taking forward Community Seed Festival from CAbC, reiterating Practices, Seed & Farmers in mainstreaming in-situ on-farm conservation of crop genetic resources @AgriGoI @PPVFRAIndia @INbpgr @mssrf

The 10th Wayanad Community Seed Fest is here! Through lively dialogues, seed exchanges and exhibitions of #Wayanad’s agricultural heritage, we’re excited to spotlight women’s role as #agrobiodiversity conservators. 📅 Feb 28 – March 1 2026 📍Vellamunda Panchayath, Wayanad district, Kerala Join us in protecting our #seeds, our agrobiodiversity, and strengthening community seed sovereignty. @doctorsoumya @cabcmssrf youtube.com/shorts/7hgwuwPa6…

“My father Prof. M.S. Swaminathan used to say that no technology is inherently pro-poor, pro-rich or pro-women. It depends on how we use it. The inflection point today is how we use this very powerful technology that has emerged. Women farmers must not be left behind. Their data must be included early on, because algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on. One benchmark I would look at is whether AI reduces the drudgery of women farmers. As we roll out these tools, we must also evaluate them carefully, examining inherent biases, identifying who may be excluded, and anticipating risks. Above all, inclusion is critical. We cannot allow those who are already behind to be pushed further back.” - MSSRF Chairperson Dr. Soumya Swaminathan at the #AI4AGRi curtain raiser at the #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026.

We are happy to share that @Angelabr1297 MSS Fellow presented her research on Carbon Stock Assessment of Different Land Use Patterns in the #WesternGhats at the 1st South Asian Agroforestry & Trees Outside Forests Congress organized by @CIFOR_ICRAF @doctorsoumya #TREESCAPES2026

Six Crops, One Vision: Future-Proofing India’s Food Systems Farmers, scientists, policymakers, and value chain actors came together to ask a critical question. Which crops can secure India’s nutrition and resilience in the face of climate change?  Click here to know: linkedin.com/feed/update/urn… Over two days of intense dialogue, our stakeholders identified six priority opportunity crops that could be game changers for India’s food security and biodiversity. #FoodSystems #OpportunityCrops #ClimateResilience #NutritionSecurity #Biodiversity #MSSRF #CropTrust #SustainableAgriculture #MSSRF #PDFF #NUS

MSSRF invites you to the second webinar in our series exploring key issues and solutions in India’s agriculture sector. This session focuses on India’s biodiversity challenges and features an expert panel with decades of experience in biodiversity research and policy implementation. To join the webinar use the following link: Join Zoom Meeting us02web.zoom.us/j/8913194906… Meeting ID: 891 3194 9068 Passcode: 572852

Women in STEM continue to enter the field in strong numbers, yet the pathway to leadership remains uneven. Today's panel on ‘Diversity in STEM and its Impact on India’s Economy’ highlighted how systemic barriers still create a leaky, uneven pipeline that limits women’s advancement. While policies such as GATI, menstrual leave, and workplace crèches are promising steps forward, the real challenge lies in consistent implementation. Support exists on paper, but the translation into everyday practice remains to be seen. The message was clear: improving diversity in STEM requires more than entry points—it demands structural change that supports women all the way to the top. The webinar was organised to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by MSSRF. Watch the full discussion here: youtube.com/watch?v=Xzvno_4k…

This #YearOfTheWomanFarmer urges us to reimagine women as farmers, herders, cultivators, and scientists. Women farmers carry traditional knowledge that sustains livelihoods across generations. Combining this with MSSRF’s scientific and technical knowledge, these agents of change are empowered to not just safeguard their families from hunger but also strengthen India’s nutrition security. #IYWF2026 #IDWGIS @FAO @FAOIndia