Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, the father of the Green Revolution in India and a renowned agricultural scientist, has applauded the joint efforts of GFAR, Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions, Asian Famers Association for Sustainable Rural Development, Crops For the Future, Bioversity International, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Self Employed Women’s Association and North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society for their role in developing a 'Global Plan of Action on Forgotten Foods' and a 'Community of Practice'. The 'Global Manifesto for Forgotten Foods' is expected to bring about a radical shift towards sustainability and agrobiodiversity in the agricultural production paradigm. The manifesto provides a framework of shared values, operational principles, and concrete strategies to help smallholders localize actions and contextualize policies in their own communities and countries. Prof. Swaminathan emphasizes the need to support farmer-led processes of innovation in harnessing forgotten foods to meet the 2030 Agenda, with special reference to SDG1 on eradicating poverty in all its forms and SDG2 on fighting hunger and malnutrition.

Prof. Swaminathan wrote this letter ahead of the National Codesign process on Forgotten Foods and National Partners meeting scheduled for 3-5 May 2023.

Read Prof Swaminathan's full message below.