Science for Society

Rural Applications

Scientific Utilization through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows: SUTRA-PIC India Program

An inter-Ministerial funding program “Scientific Utilization Through Research AugmentationPrime Products from Indigenous Cows” (SUTRA-PIC India) has been initiated with the support of the Ministry of Science & Technology through the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR); Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH); Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The program will involve the participation of Research Institutions, Academics, Grassroots Organizations and so on to carry out R & D work, technology development and capacity building at the local level covering the following five thematic areas:

  1.  1. Scientific research on the uniqueness of Indigenous Cows. 
  2.  2. Scientific research on Prime-products from indigenous cows for medicine and health.
  3.  3. Scientific research on Prime-products from indigenous cows for agricultural applications.
  4.  4. Scientific research on Prime-products from indigenous cows for food and nutrition.
  5.  5. Scientific research on Prime-products from indigenous cows-based utility items.

 

S&T Interventions Involving Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs)

This is an initiative for active participation of the students and teachers of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) in action projects for rural development using S&T-based solutions, under the Technology Interventions For Addressing Societal Needs (TIASN) programme of DST. The concept of this new programme is based on the premise that the majority of Navodaya Vidyalayas are located in rural settings covering different agro-ecological regions in the country, and are residential. These Vidyalayas provide a good setup for motivating and implementing S&T projects with the involvement of the local community. Through such activities, it is hoped that students and teachers will find good opportunities and feel motivated for community-based works. Also, the young ignited minds of budding scientists will find a platform to implement their ideas.

Science for Rural Applications

For dissemination and use of biotechnological processes and tools and for the creation of novel employment avenues in rural areas, training and demonstration projects have been supported in various states. Few major projects were supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in an integrated manner utilizing the bio-resources available as ‘Bio-village’.

Biological Pest Control: A project on Biological Control of crop pests has been implemented for the benefit of the rural population in Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh. Field demonstrations were conducted and awareness was generated about the usage of bio-pesticides instead of chemical pesticides among farmers, women, and the backward population.

Sericulture: A project on-farm training in silkworm rearing has been implemented at Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Technology, Jammu. Training programmes were conducted for farmers on the latest techniques for the rearing silkworms.

Pisciculture: A project on induced seed production in Fish Hatchery and rearing has been taken up as a livelihood option for rural youths and farmers in three blocks of Bhagalpur District in Bihar. Farmers have been educated on the use of new methods of carp culture by introducing the concept of liming, poly-culture, knowledge of fish feeds, regular removal of unwanted weeds from the ponds for proper supply of O2 to the carps and maintenance of ponds in a proper condition for more production of fish.

Technological Advancement for Rural Areas (TARA)

The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, provides long-term core support to S&T-based/driven Voluntary Organizations. Core support empowers agencies in development/adaptation, field testing and delivery of need based appropriate technologies/packages for rural applications to address location-specific needs.   

Currently, 25 such organizations are being facilitated on technology innovations/modulation, incubation and delivery in respective geographical coverage areas to provide scalable S&T solutions/packages through adaptive R&.D and building capacities at the community level in rural and remote areas.  

Technological Interventions for Addressing Societal Needs (TIASN)

The programme supported by DST involves technology development and adaptive R&D for the benefit of the society in the areas of agriculture, health, nutrition and activities related to the Non-Farm sector.

Major Achievements:

1. Prototype for manual load carrier-head harness has been developed and field trials have been conducted

2. Green & blue water harvesting techniques have been demonstrated in tribal districts of Panchmahal and Dahod in Gujarat.

3. About 10 prototypes of assisted devices have been developed and tested and are ready for commercialization.

Sustainable Agriculture Rural Transformation Holistic Initiative (SARTHI)

Location-Specific Interventions have addressed issues related to Livelihood, Health & Nutrition, Drudgery, and Local Resource Management in the lower Shivaliks.

Major Achievements:

1. Management and utilization of Lantana Camara to improve livelihood in Kandi region of Punjab; Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, in collaboration with Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, has developed a technology package to collect the biomass and effectively use in making handmade paper.

2. Three training programs were also conducted on handmade paper manufacturing from Lantana biomass for 15 potential entrepreneurs from Talwara & Bhung block of Kandi region of Punjab, at Cellulose and Paper Division, FRI, Dehradun.

3. Trainees trained for the production of handmade paper technology will be able to generate an income of Rs.10,000/-pm.

4. Wheat varieties HD-2967 and HD-3086 recorded the yield of 52q/ha and 45q/ha, respectively with a yield increase of 14% and 2% than the local ones (PBW-226, PBW-292) and an estimated increased profit of Rs.40,000/- from 1ha of land.

5. Three improved paddy varieties (P-1121, P-1612, and P-2511) give a yield of 50.13 qt/ ha as compared to local variety which gives 45.60qt/ha with an increased yield of 6.57, 14.69 and 8.55%, respectively, as compared to local check (Sarbati) leading to an estimated increased profit of Rs.10,800/- per ha.

 

Scheme for Young Scientists and Technologists (SYST) 

The scheme supported by DST nurtures young scientists to take up S&T-based projects of societal relevance with a lab-to-land approach.

Achievements:

1. Design, Development and Testing of a Continuous Aonla Pricking Machine

2. Design and Development of Manually Operated Equipment for Bamboo Stripes Manufacturing