Livelihood generation for locals through STI intervention in Napak Bolchugre village, East Garo Hills district, Meghalaya

Details:

The rural community of the Napak Bolchugre village, especially the women’s group has been a key component of the Bolmoram Technology Resource centre cum Knowledge and Innovation Park since its inception. The center has been developed as a part of Women Technology Park established under the ‘S&T for Women” scheme supported by SEED Division of Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. The center is operated and managed by the State Council of Science, Technology and Environment, Meghalaya.

SCSTE, Meghalaya in its scouting efforts to look into ways and means to address issues in the society and to identify technology gaps had come up with the concept of a Technology Resource Centre or Technology Park to initiate the application and development of appropriate technologies based on local skills, and local resources where society‘s vision and mission will also be considered so that there is a sense of ownership by the community in the long run.

The community has been actively involved with the centre in various capacities. Through its interaction with the centre the community has grown and has garnered in-depth knowledge and expertise particularly through STI which becomes especially fruitful in their day-to-day activities. The women’s groups of the community are especially involved with the centre in skilled and livelihood activities such as fruit processing and value addition of food products, in the making of sanitary napkins, beekeeping and others. Presently, 11 SHGs are being coordinated through the center and almost double income benefits have been observed in the community. This has inspired other community members also to take up the activities and training.

Principal Investigator: Dr Augustus Suting, State Council of Science, Technology & Environment, Meghalaya, Nongrim Hills, Shillong

Contact info:   stcouncilmegh@yahoo.com

Implementing Agency: State Council of Science, Technology & Environment, Meghalaya, Nongrim Hills, Shillong

Funding Agency: Department of Science and Technology (DST)