Bhubaneswar: Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), met with Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Thursday. During the meeting at the Lok Seva Bhavan, Dr. Swaminathan invited Singh Deo to an international conference on a hunger-free world, set to take place in Chennai on August 7 and 8.
Accompanied by senior officials including Principal Secretary of the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, and Agriculture Director Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Singh Deo discussed several key agricultural initiatives with Dr. Swaminathan.
Singh Deo highlighted the state government’s commitment to promoting the cultivation of paddy, green gram, black gram, millets, and other cereals through traditional and organic farming methods. He announced plans to introduce a new program focused on preserving traditional seeds that are facing the threat of extinction.
To enhance the marketing of paddy, wheat, millets, and pulses produced from indigenous seeds, Singh Deo proposed establishing branches both within and outside the state. He stressed that increasing public awareness of these grains’ quality and nutritional value is crucial.
Dr. Swaminathan proposed transforming the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in Jeypore, Koraput district, into an international training center for farmers. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive training programs to improve farmers’ skills and knowledge.
Principal Secretary Dr. Padhee emphasized the government’s shift towards valuing the nutritional content of crops over mere productivity. This balanced approach is intended to improve soil quality, health, and environmental sustainability.
The discussion also covered government incentives for farmers who grow nutritional cereals using traditional and organic methods. These incentives are aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan currently serves as the Chief Advisor of the National TB Eradication Programme under the Government of India’s Health & Family Welfare Department.