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S. K. Agarwal
well-identified local problems/challenges through adaptive research involving community as well as S&T knowledge hubs across rural areas. Such mechanism for
scaling up with more S&T-NGOs (Core Support Groups) as drivers of change at the
grassroots level will facilitate in bridging projected skills gaps and ensuring inclusive
growth trajectory by creating vibrant social enterprise ecosystem in the country. It
will also contribute to strike a balance of rural-urban divide for improving quality of
life and creating job opportunities in rural India.
Keywords Inclusive growth · Rural livelihoods · Social enterprises · Technology
adoption · Adaptive R&D · Renewable energy · Waste management · Technology
transfer and skill development
1 Introduction
Since Independence, India has endeavored to bring economic and social change
through Science and Technology (S&T). Innovation, which includes new technologies, delivery models, social and market changes, remains important for India’s
development agenda. It is now being realized to promote rural development that is
based on scientifically valid understanding of problem contexts and technological
solutions that are economically viable, socially progressive and ecologically sustainable. Due to known contributions to improved socio-economic conditions of the
masses, innovation systems and technologies therein are seen as a driving force for
faster and inclusive rural growth and development.
Despite several affirmative actions and investments on the part of government and
other development agencies, the goal of faster and inclusive rural growth and development through innovation systems, technology generation, development and delivery
remains to be achieved. There is still huge unmet potential for rural development using
the innovation systems and technology led growth. With increasing globalization
and inequality, and emerging concerns about climate change and other environmental disruptions, the development context and the demand for critical technologies
within India is also changing both in rural as well as urban areas. A rural-urban
development divide presents challenges to achieve the goal of growth with equity.
Rural entrepreneurship and business incubation nowadays is being considered to play
important role in economic development of developing and least developed countries and their rural communities, which tops the list of sustainable development goals
(SDGs) to eradicate poverty and hunger in the development agenda (Habito 2010;
UN-ESCAP 2017). Despite rapid economic growth, effort to translate this growth to
livelihoods, incomes, productivity, manufacturing capacities, and well being for rural
populations and sustainable use of resources is real cause of concern for green growth
and development (OECD 2011; GOI 2015). Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Labour Organization in their strategies
for local job creation, skill development and social protection have emphasized on
maximizing skill development and training as one of the policy suggestions for their
S. K. Agarwal
well-identified local problems/challenges through adaptive research involving community as well as S&T knowledge hubs across rural areas. Such mechanism for
scaling up with more S&T-NGOs (Core Support Groups) as drivers of change at the
grassroots level will facilitate in bridging projected skills gaps and ensuring inclusive
growth trajectory by creating vibrant social enterprise ecosystem in the country. It
will also contribute to strike a balance of rural-urban divide for improving quality of
life and creating job opportunities in rural India.
Keywords Inclusive growth · Rural livelihoods · Social enterprises · Technology
adoption · Adaptive R&D · Renewable energy · Waste management · Technology
transfer and skill development
1 Introduction
Since Independence, India has endeavored to bring economic and social change
through Science and Technology (S&T). Innovation, which includes new technologies, delivery models, social and market changes, remains important for India’s
development agenda. It is now being realized to promote rural development that is
based on scientifically valid understanding of problem contexts and technological
solutions that are economically viable, socially progressive and ecologically sustainable. Due to known contributions to improved socio-economic conditions of the
masses, innovation systems and technologies therein are seen as a driving force for
faster and inclusive rural growth and development.
Despite several affirmative actions and investments on the part of government and
other development agencies, the goal of faster and inclusive rural growth and development through innovation systems, technology generation, development and delivery
remains to be achieved. There is still huge unmet potential for rural development using
the innovation systems and technology led growth. With increasing globalization
and inequality, and emerging concerns about climate change and other environmental disruptions, the development context and the demand for critical technologies
within India is also changing both in rural as well as urban areas. A rural-urban
development divide presents challenges to achieve the goal of growth with equity.
Rural entrepreneurship and business incubation nowadays is being considered to play
important role in economic development of developing and least developed countries and their rural communities, which tops the list of sustainable development goals
(SDGs) to eradicate poverty and hunger in the development agenda (Habito 2010;
UN-ESCAP 2017). Despite rapid economic growth, effort to translate this growth to
livelihoods, incomes, productivity, manufacturing capacities, and well being for rural
populations and sustainable use of resources is real cause of concern for green growth
and development (OECD 2011; GOI 2015). Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Labour Organization in their strategies
for local job creation, skill development and social protection have emphasized on
maximizing skill development and training as one of the policy suggestions for their