Archive · 5 Jun 2025
India's Aim for 'Biohappiness' Through Biodiversity and Nutrition
Imagine India as a place with lots of different kinds of plants and foods, not just a few like most places.
Some people are worried because these unique plants are disappearing.
To fix this, they want to bring back old, healthy foods like millets.
These foods are good for us and are also tough enough to handle changes in the weather.
Groups are helping farmers grow these foods and teaching everyone about them.
They want to make sure everyone eats well, helps the planet, and feels good.
It's like planting a garden full of all sorts of plants to keep everyone healthy and happy.
India possesses nearly 8% of global biodiversity, yet it's declining.
Traditional crops like millets are being revived for their nutritional benefits.
The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation works to prevent erosion of millet diversity.
India focuses on expanding the production, consumption, and export of millets.
The vision is to achieve 'Biohappiness' through conservation and sustainable resource use.
- Who
- The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and government officials
- What
- Efforts to promote biodiversity and 'biohappiness' in India by emphasizing the importance of diverse crops.
- When
- Ongoing efforts and initiatives
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address nutritional imbalances, climate change vulnerability, and improve human well-being.
- India's Global Biodiversity Share
- Nearly 8%
- Value of Natural Forest Services
- Over ₹130 trillion annually
- Crops dominating global food systems
- Rice, wheat, and maize
- Benefits from empowering farmers' groups
- Increasing income
- UN-declared initiative
- International Year of Millets