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Plea to develop low-cost technology

Staff Correspondent

To be used by villagers living in hill terrain

DEHRA DUN: The Uttaranchal State Council for Science and Technology has called upon the scientific community to innovate and develop simple user-friendly technologies that could be easily accepted and used by the villagers living in the difficult hill terrain of the State.

"Uttaranchal is full of resources that the local people are not able to use for want of low-cost technologies. If the technical inputs are provided, the day is not far when the hard-working villagers will be able to transform the area into a vibrant economy," Council Director Rajendra Dobhal told The Hindu on Friday.

Some of the areas where low-cost technologies could be used to advantage include commercial cultivation of herbs and medicinal plants, value addition to large variety of fruits and vegetables, floriculture and animal husbandry. The Council has established 23 Vigyan Prasar Kendras in remote areas and plans to set up 77 more by the year-end. Manned by specially trained local youths, the Kendras are equipped with science books, telescope to watch stars, adulteration and soil testing kits. "The response has been encouraging with the villagers, especially the kids frequenting these centres"

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