480
S. K. Agarwal
Thus, policy interventions are needed to have more such S&T based action field
groups, which can work in their respective area of strength to innovate and deliver
need-based technological solutions to well-identified local problems through adaptive research involving community as well as National S&T knowledge hubs. They
can be engaged in research driven community engagement through inclusive development projects in establishment of small pilot processing units, skill development,
technology delivery, compliance with quality standard and product development.
Need is to support and nurture such dedicated S&T based action field groups (CSGs)
to address emerging challenges of rural-urban divide and to ensure that growth and
development is to be implemented in an equitable, sustainable and holistic manner
in the country. Having better synergy with communities, these groups with green
innovation strategies have potential to significantly contribute to address issues and
concerns in sectors that are key drivers of growth and employment such as clean
energy, waste management, and green agriculture etc. In this process, interface will
be required to develop strategies and support mechanism to influence and strengthen
innovation in green technologies for rural transformation with skill development at
R&D knowledge hubs. They can be engaged in green skill building and trainings in
order to move forward the agenda for green growth and green skills to preserve or
restore the quality of environment and social protection as well as practiced nowadays to shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources or recycling of paper to eliminate
plastic bag production (UNEP 2008; OECD 2011; GOI 2012; Agarwal 2013).
According to an estimate, rural-urban rations will shift from 70:30 to 50:50 by
2055, which indicates that enabling ecosystem has to be created to strike a balance of
rural-urban divide with investment in rural areas for providing quality services and
creating job opportunities (Balakrishnan 2008; Deloltte 2014). There is an excellent
opportunity that exists in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to renew
and re-energize investment in knowledge systems and institutions of learning, which
can support social enterprises by developing appropriate system for fostering innovation and technology delivery for knowledge empowerment and development of the
rural communities. The CSR spending by industry have the potential to make huge
impact to create necessary momentum and contribute towards rural transformation
by taking such initiatives of Core Support Model to the next level.
Rural non-farm productive activities can also contribute significantly to livelihoods gain and the well-being of rural communities to tap the potential of traditional
foods and crafts with value addition in processing. This needs to be promoted with
technology led growth strategies based on diversification in rural economies taking
into account local resources and needs (UNIDO 2013). In this regard, CSGs can
also facilitate efforts being made through national skills development initiatives to
build skills of marginalized communities as well as helping SME sectors in bridging
projected skills gaps with adaptation to green innovation and ensuring in inclusive
growth trajectory by creating vibrant Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the country (GOI
2012; Das 2015).
Acknowledgements Present paper is based on the experiences gained in handling S&T based
developmental projects by the author particularly long-term Core Support program under TARA
S. K. Agarwal
Thus, policy interventions are needed to have more such S&T based action field
groups, which can work in their respective area of strength to innovate and deliver
need-based technological solutions to well-identified local problems through adaptive research involving community as well as National S&T knowledge hubs. They
can be engaged in research driven community engagement through inclusive development projects in establishment of small pilot processing units, skill development,
technology delivery, compliance with quality standard and product development.
Need is to support and nurture such dedicated S&T based action field groups (CSGs)
to address emerging challenges of rural-urban divide and to ensure that growth and
development is to be implemented in an equitable, sustainable and holistic manner
in the country. Having better synergy with communities, these groups with green
innovation strategies have potential to significantly contribute to address issues and
concerns in sectors that are key drivers of growth and employment such as clean
energy, waste management, and green agriculture etc. In this process, interface will
be required to develop strategies and support mechanism to influence and strengthen
innovation in green technologies for rural transformation with skill development at
R&D knowledge hubs. They can be engaged in green skill building and trainings in
order to move forward the agenda for green growth and green skills to preserve or
restore the quality of environment and social protection as well as practiced nowadays to shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources or recycling of paper to eliminate
plastic bag production (UNEP 2008; OECD 2011; GOI 2012; Agarwal 2013).
According to an estimate, rural-urban rations will shift from 70:30 to 50:50 by
2055, which indicates that enabling ecosystem has to be created to strike a balance of
rural-urban divide with investment in rural areas for providing quality services and
creating job opportunities (Balakrishnan 2008; Deloltte 2014). There is an excellent
opportunity that exists in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to renew
and re-energize investment in knowledge systems and institutions of learning, which
can support social enterprises by developing appropriate system for fostering innovation and technology delivery for knowledge empowerment and development of the
rural communities. The CSR spending by industry have the potential to make huge
impact to create necessary momentum and contribute towards rural transformation
by taking such initiatives of Core Support Model to the next level.
Rural non-farm productive activities can also contribute significantly to livelihoods gain and the well-being of rural communities to tap the potential of traditional
foods and crafts with value addition in processing. This needs to be promoted with
technology led growth strategies based on diversification in rural economies taking
into account local resources and needs (UNIDO 2013). In this regard, CSGs can
also facilitate efforts being made through national skills development initiatives to
build skills of marginalized communities as well as helping SME sectors in bridging
projected skills gaps with adaptation to green innovation and ensuring in inclusive
growth trajectory by creating vibrant Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the country (GOI
2012; Das 2015).
Acknowledgements Present paper is based on the experiences gained in handling S&T based
developmental projects by the author particularly long-term Core Support program under TARA