pratheepa retweeted
In the shifting mudflats where Avicennia marina grows, tides and moving water can knock young mangroves off balance. A new study published in the @annbot by MSSRF researchers Balasundari Dharbaranyam, R. Durgaswathi and @Gayatrivenkata2 , with colleagues from St. Peter’s College of Engineering and Technology, shows how these seedlings recover. By forming a bend at the base of their hypocotyl and redirecting their roots, these seedlings straighten up and regain stability when they do not land upright.
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcag302
An inspiring DIVERSIFARM India event brought together 30 stakeholders across Odisha to share ideas and strengthen CSBs.
Grateful to everyone for their valuable contributions. Together, we look forward to building stronger partnerships and scaling CSBs across Odisha. – at Nattarasankottai, India
Community Seed Banks (CSBs) can harness traditional knowledge, put power back in farmers’ hands, and steer agriculture toward a climate‑resilient future.
But there is an urgent need to strengthen equitable and inclusive governance of these local farmer-managed seed systems.
As part of the DIVERSIFARM‑India project, MSSRF and @FniNansen, hosted a multi‑stakeholder consultation in Odisha – a forerunning state with 300+ CSBs – to strengthen them.
We brought together experts in agriculture, biodiversity, farmers’ rights and policy, along with seed keepers, to address bottlenecks facing CSBs.
📍 Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar | 9 Sept
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𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 (𝐂𝐒𝐁𝐬)
This three-day capacity building workshop in Bhubaneshwar brought together 54 participants including practitioners, researchers, and CSB facilitators, from 41 organisations across Odisha.
This workshop was organised by MSSRF and the @FniNansen, under the DIVERSIFARM-India project with support from the @norwayinindia.
➡️Learn more about the project: communityseedbanks.in/
The event also helped build a strong network among organisations promoting Community Seed Banks in Odisha, creating opportunities for future collaboration, knowledge exchange and collective action. – at Bhubaneshwar, India
A 3-day capacity-building programme on sustaining Community Seed Banks (CSBs) was conducted for Odisha. 54 participants from 41 organisations gained valuable insights and shared knowledge and experiences to support the wider dissemination and success of CSBs across the state. – at Bhubaneshwar, India
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Priority capacity areas in strengthening Community Seed Banks mgt is Scientific mgt of crop genetic resources & Farmers rights keeping gender equality & social capital as base @mssrf @FniNansen @norwayinindia @krushibibhag @FAOclimate @PPVFRAIndia @BiovIntCIAT_eng
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Capacity Building program on Establishing & strengthening Community Seed Banks as ToTs with over 40 CSB practitioners, Odisha enabling to dialogue pragmatic CSB operating and management strategies @FniNansen @mssrf @norwayinindia @PPVFRAIndia @AgriGoI @krushibibhag @icarindia
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“We need a government-led program for scientific innovation in agriculture, where farmers work together with scientists to study the properties of the diverse seeds conserved by Community Seed Banks (CSBs),” said MSSRF’s Chairperson Dr. Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) at a panel discussion on the occasion of the International Day of Biological Diversity.
Focussing on the theme ‘Acting locally for global impact’, the discussion brought together experts from @icarindia, #PPVFRA, @BiovIntCIAT_eng, @INbpgr and #MSSRF.
The experts discussed how CSB’s are crucial for building resilience in agriculture and the ways to upscale them across the country. Dr. Swaminathan added that institutions such as ICAR, along with partnering organisations, should join hands with @ANRFIndia in establishing this national-level program.
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For Dutika, seeds are not just about yield. They carry taste, memory, and assurance.
Across Koraput, village Community Seed Banks (CSBs) have become both a vital source of traditional seeds and a strong support system for farmers. Women farmers like Dutika cultivate a diverse mix of paddy, millets, vegetables, and spices, balancing household needs with market sales. At the core of their farming are traditional seeds, preserved at home or accessed through the CSB—ensuring resilience, food security, and continuity of local knowledge.
Through Dutika’s story, here’s a glimpse into India’s community-led seed systems.
Read her full story: mssrf.org/stories-of-change
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If you are a seed bank manager, researcher, support group, or ally, this platform can help you connect with others. Explore the atlas, see what is happening in different states, and contribute to a growing, shared resource that strengthens farmer-led seed systems.
Visit the website and explore the atlas.
🔗communityseedbanks.in/
@FniNansen @norwayinindia @doctorsoumya @Rengalakshmi10 @DrOliverkingED @prajeeshparmesw @PratheepaCM
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Community seed banks are more than seed storage. They keep knowledge alive, build resilience, and help communities become more self-sufficient. The website brings together the achievements of 475+ community seed banks across India—while continuing to grow with inputs and data from the field.
Visit the website, explore the atlas, and be part of shaping this evolving resource 🔗 communityseedbanks.in/
@FniNansen @norwayinindia @doctorsoumya @Rengalakshmi10 @DrOliverkingED @prajeeshparmesw @PratheepaCM
pratheepa retweeted
ଭାରତର ଗୋଷ୍ଠୀ ବିହନ ବ୍ୟାଙ୍କ ମାନଚିତ୍ରରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଅଗ୍ରଣୀ ଏକ ଅଗ୍ରଣୀ ରାଜ୍ୟ କାରଣ ଭାରତର ମୋଟ୍ ଗୋଷ୍ଠୀ ବିହନ ବ୍ୟାଙ୍କର ପ୍ରାୟ ୩1% ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ହିଁ ଚିହ୍ନଟ କରାଯାଇଛି (ଦ୍ରଷ୍ଟବ୍ୟ : ଲିଙ୍କ୍ ଦର୍ଶାଉଥିବା ମାନଚିତ୍ରଟି ସଂଶୋଧିତ , ପରିମାର୍ଜିତ , ତଥା ପରିବର୍ଦ୍ଧିତ ହେବାରେ ଲାଗିଛି, ତେଣୁ ପରେ ଏଥିରେ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ଅନେକ ରାଜ୍ୟର ଗୋଷ୍ଠୀ ବିହନ ବ୍ୟାଙ୍କ ଚିହ୍ନିତ କରାଯାଇପାରେ ) I
ବିଶଦ ବିବରଣୀ ତଥା ମାନଚିତ୍ର ପାଇଁ ନିମ୍ନ ଲିଙ୍କ୍ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରାଯାଇପାରିବ : communityseedbanks.in/ ;
communityseedbanks.in/atlas-…
Odisha is a leading state in the map of #CommunitySeedBanks of India as about 31% of the total CSBs of the country have been identified in our state (Note: The map displayed at the link is being revised and updated so that CSBs of many other states may be identified on it later.)
The status of CSBs in India has been compiled under the project 'DIVERSIFARM-India' which is a collaborative initiative of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) @FniNansen , Norway and the @mssrf , India.
One may access the platform and explore the mapped CSBs using the links below:
Online platform: communityseedbanks.in/
ATLAS of CSBs: communityseedbanks.in/atlas-…
@krushibibhag , @AgriGoI , @FAO
@Rengalashmi10 , @PratheepaCM , @DrOliverkingED , @prajeeshparmesw , @norwayinindia
This marks the first national‑level, evidence‑based documentation on Community Seed Banks. The process of engaging with stakeholders and mapping their seed banks was a valuable learning journey.
Grateful to all organisations who contributed to mapping 475+ community seed banks.
A new national digital platform has mapped 475+ community seed banks across India. Developed by MSSRF and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (@FniNansen) with financial support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy (@norwayinindia), it connects farmers, community seed banks-promoting networks, researchers, and institutions.
🌐Visit the website and explore the atlas: communityseedbanks.in/
#seedbank @Rengalakshmi10 @doctorsoumya @PratheepaCM @DrOliverkingED @prajeeshparamesw
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Second day #GB11 Side event- Farmer's Rights in India: Recent developments jointly organised by @FniNansen @mssrf & @PPVFRAIndia highlighted insights from DIVERSIFARM-India project, aimed at strengthening #CSBs in India as measure of realizing Farmers Rights
pratheepa retweeted
India is globally recognised for its leadership in advancing #FarmersRights within @ITPGRFA anchored by PPV&FR Act, 2001. At side event #GB11, we showcased progress in transforming policy into practice @AgriGoI @FniNansen @mssrf @PPVFRAIndia @norwayinindia
Second day #GB11 Side event- Farmer's Rights in India: Recent developments jointly organised by @FniNansen @mssrf & @PPVFRAIndia highlighted insights from DIVERSIFARM-India project, aimed at strengthening #CSBs in India as measure of realizing Farmers Rights
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Our new Online Atlas of #CSBs in India communityseedbanks.in/ maps diversity, typologies, success factors & challenges in supporting evidence-based farmer managed seed systems @AgriGoI @FniNansen @AgriGoI @PPVFRAIndia @FAOIndia @mssrf @norwayinindia #GB11
Second day #GB11 Side event- Farmer's Rights in India: Recent developments jointly organised by @FniNansen @mssrf & @PPVFRAIndia highlighted insights from DIVERSIFARM-India project, aimed at strengthening #CSBs in India as measure of realizing Farmers Rights
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At #GB11 in Lima, @mssrf joined global experts to spotlight recent advancements in Farmers’ Rights in India, an area where India continues to show international leadership under the @PlantTreaty
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Honoured to welcome Smt. Priyanka Gandhi, MP Wayanad, and Smt. Sonia Gandhi to the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CAbC) of MSSRF in 📍Wayanad!
Along with Dr. Niraj Joshi, Director of CAbC, and the @cabcmssrf team in #Wayanad, they explored our Medicinal Plant Garden & Arboretum, planted endangered Western Ghats species, and virtually discussed crucial issues with @doctorsoumya - from human-animal conflict to tribal land rights and climate resilience
We're deeply grateful to Sonia Gandhi and @priyankagandhi for their support of MSSRF’s efforts towards both community well-being and #environmentalconservation.
🔗 Watch more here: youtube.com/watch?v=0iCSzxs6…
#Wayanad #Conservation #CommunityDevelopment #Biodiversity #SoniaGandhi #PriyankaGandhi #Agrobiodiversity
