Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Innovators’ meet to showcase rural technology

Thiruvananthapuram: Tender coconut peeling machine, areca nut dehusker, pedal-operated wet grinder, mango harvester and solar mosquito destroyer will be among the grassroots inventions exhibited at the Rural Innovators Meet (RIM- 2009) beginning at the VJT Hall here on Tuesday. The two-day event is being organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) under the Rural Technology Programme launched in 2006. The scheme is aimed at harnessing rural technology and adapting sustainable traditional practices for the development of the State.

As many as 30 rural inventions and technologies will be showcased at RIM 2009. Fisheries Minister S. Sarma will inaugurate the exhibition on Tuesday.

Technical sessions on ‘Marketing issues of Grassroot Innovations’, ‘Rural Technology & Economic Development,’ ‘Technology Development & Adaptation Issues,’ ‘IPR and Rural Innovations,’ ‘Significance of protecting Traditional Knowledge’ and ‘Industrial Support for Entrepreneurship’ will be handled by experts on the opening day.

Minister for Cooperation G. Sudhakaran will deliver the valedictory address on Wednesday.

E.P.Yesodharan, executive vice-president, KSCSTE, said the meet would provide a platform to grassroot innovators to address the issues and challenges faced by them. He said it would also address the problems of the rural sector requiring science and technology inputs and ensure network with other technical institutions, voluntary agencies, government organisations and village industries. “This will help in rural industrialisation and improve the quality of life in rural areas.”

Mr. Yesodharan said the meet would encourage local innovations and capacity building for developing and managing locally relevant and appropriate technologies.

“Several traditional practices that are sustainable and environment-friendly continue to be routine practices of people in developing countries. These need to be encouraged rather than replaced by more modern but unsustainable practices and technologies.

“Also, technologies must be usable by and beneficial to local people. Where possible, existing local technologies must be upgraded and adapted to make them more efficient and useful.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Bill payment
Takes charge
Two youths arrested under IT Act
Loan waiver
Child labourers rescued
Three-tier gradation of panchayats mooted
Government to work out allotment schedules
Retired teachers’ forum protest
Muraleedharan’s Congress re-entry plans face hurdles
Tobacco control laws not strictly enforced in State, says study
C-DAC rolls out prototype of communication vehicle
Innovators’ meet to showcase rural technology
Training course
Power supply to KWA facility cut, restored
Burglars decamp with jewellery, car
Sports meet of the differently abled

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu