Emerging Technology Intervention Model of Core Support …
461
member countries, and also effective approaches to achieve viable livelihoods in
different rural sectors (OECD & ILO 2011, 2012).
Present paper share practical experiences and analyzes some field level interventions though case studies of some S&T based Core Support Groups (CSGs)
1
from India to address key questions about innovation systems and technologies for
rural growth and development that emerge in this context. Technology products and
packages developed/customized and innovations made by these field based groups
in critical areas like energy and resource management through strong interface with
national R&D hubs are demand driven, relevant and have been well received by the
people in rural areas. Paper also discusses emerging challenges for inclusive growth
and driving factors responsible for expanding such network for vibrant and visible
transformation in rural areas through technological intervention and social inclusion.
2 Innovative Technology Solutions and Delivery: Case
Studies on Rural Growth and Enterprise Creation
2.1 Food Processing Technology
Case Study I: Innovative Solar Cabinet Dryers
Technology Product/Package Details Food processing industry is struggling hard
to come out from the present poor state of affairs considering that 30% of the fruits
and vegetables in India are wasted due to lack of adequate food processing units. To
address the issue of value addition at source to food products, an innovative technology in the form of solar cabinet dryer has been developed by Society for Energy,
Environment and Development (SEED), Hyderabad, a CSG to process fruits, vegetables, and forest produce with zero energy cost. The integration of solar–thermal
energy and solar photovoltaic technologies in the design and development of solar
cabinet dryer has resulted in a new and innovative technology called ‘solar-powered
1 Core Support Groups (CSGs): CSGs are S&T based NGOs/field institutions supported by SEED,
DST, GOI to promote and nurture them as “S&T Incubators/Active Field Laboratories” in rural and
other disadvantaged areas of the country to work and provide technological solutions and effective
delivery of technologies for livelihood generation and societal benefits. These CSGs identify real
problems on the ground and converting them to research challenges in terms of S&T and evolving
workable technological packages for adoption by community/end users for better quality of life and
livelihood gains. In this process, Core Groups ensure hand-holding at the community/users level
with backward and forward linkages. The technologies developed/customized and innovations made
by these field groups through strong interface with national R&D hubs are demand driven, relevant
and have been well received by the people in rural as well as urban areas as well. Such long term
core support in phased manner is operational under Technological Advancement for Rural Areas
(TARA) scheme of DST being handled by author. Currently, 25 national level organizations with
core team are engaged for delivering need based and affordable S&T solutions on challenging
problems at the grass roots levels in farm as well as non-farm sector from diverse regions across
the country (Details about TARA and CSGs is available at: https://www.dsttara.in).
461
member countries, and also effective approaches to achieve viable livelihoods in
different rural sectors (OECD & ILO 2011, 2012).
Present paper share practical experiences and analyzes some field level interventions though case studies of some S&T based Core Support Groups (CSGs)
1
from India to address key questions about innovation systems and technologies for
rural growth and development that emerge in this context. Technology products and
packages developed/customized and innovations made by these field based groups
in critical areas like energy and resource management through strong interface with
national R&D hubs are demand driven, relevant and have been well received by the
people in rural areas. Paper also discusses emerging challenges for inclusive growth
and driving factors responsible for expanding such network for vibrant and visible
transformation in rural areas through technological intervention and social inclusion.
2 Innovative Technology Solutions and Delivery: Case
Studies on Rural Growth and Enterprise Creation
2.1 Food Processing Technology
Case Study I: Innovative Solar Cabinet Dryers
Technology Product/Package Details Food processing industry is struggling hard
to come out from the present poor state of affairs considering that 30% of the fruits
and vegetables in India are wasted due to lack of adequate food processing units. To
address the issue of value addition at source to food products, an innovative technology in the form of solar cabinet dryer has been developed by Society for Energy,
Environment and Development (SEED), Hyderabad, a CSG to process fruits, vegetables, and forest produce with zero energy cost. The integration of solar–thermal
energy and solar photovoltaic technologies in the design and development of solar
cabinet dryer has resulted in a new and innovative technology called ‘solar-powered
1 Core Support Groups (CSGs): CSGs are S&T based NGOs/field institutions supported by SEED,
DST, GOI to promote and nurture them as “S&T Incubators/Active Field Laboratories” in rural and
other disadvantaged areas of the country to work and provide technological solutions and effective
delivery of technologies for livelihood generation and societal benefits. These CSGs identify real
problems on the ground and converting them to research challenges in terms of S&T and evolving
workable technological packages for adoption by community/end users for better quality of life and
livelihood gains. In this process, Core Groups ensure hand-holding at the community/users level
with backward and forward linkages. The technologies developed/customized and innovations made
by these field groups through strong interface with national R&D hubs are demand driven, relevant
and have been well received by the people in rural as well as urban areas as well. Such long term
core support in phased manner is operational under Technological Advancement for Rural Areas
(TARA) scheme of DST being handled by author. Currently, 25 national level organizations with
core team are engaged for delivering need based and affordable S&T solutions on challenging
problems at the grass roots levels in farm as well as non-farm sector from diverse regions across
the country (Details about TARA and CSGs is available at: https://www.dsttara.in).