Indian Rural Technologies

chillibreeze writer — Sarda Mohan

Not long ago, the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, dreamt of a bright India, where the light of wisdom and progress leading to prosperity would flow from the villages.

A vast majority of the country’s population leads a primitive quality of life in the rural areas. However, after over nearly 5 decades of independence, scientists and researchers are developing technologies to improve the quality of life in the rural areas.

What’s out?

Emptiness, ignorance, oppression, dominator culture, poverty

What’s in?

A life full of equal opportunity and mass creativity; a society where people decide for themselves for their own and others’ welfare, the creation of a global community.

The possibility of such a change has been created because of new rural technologies. These aim at the transformation of Indian villages by utilizing the abundant natural resources available. They offer viable livelihood options through simple cost-effective technologies at a small-scale level.

The list is endless – ranging from sustainable organic agriculture, water resource management, agro-based rural micro-enterprises, decentralized rural energy systems and cost effective construction technologies, all aimed at engineering sustainable rural livelihoods.

There are a number of rural technology institutes, which work to promote appropriate technologies that will create opportunities to improve the quality of life and economic conditions in the rural sector. They also conduct adoptive and action oriented research on indigenous and improved technologies and transfer the technical information and know-how by training. Additionally, these organizations provide technical support and consulting services and have various successful state-wise projects to their credit.

Data on rural market potential show that nearly 25% of the total population of India, which is in the rural areas, has a very high market potential. So the efforts of various organizations should focus on high volume production, good quality products, advertising, sales outlets and good after sales service.

In most instances, technologies have filtered down to the rural areas from the urban areas. It is necessary to develop technologies unique to the rural areas. This will also facilitate the utilization of local manpower.

In the development and propagation of rural technology, it must always be noted as to whom this technology is for, i.e., the lowest strata of the rural population who are economically backward too. Well, 250 million constitute the rural population and this is quite a number to further propagate the economic revolution.

To keep the progress going, comprehensive information and networking technology needs to be disseminated to the people. Programs like Mission 2007, a laudable attempt by the M.S. Swami Nathan Research Foundation and TARAhaat using VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) technology will help to assure that there is no data gap so that the processes of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities go unhindered.

Initiatives by Technology transfer agencies, NGOs, research institutes, social agencies and others to provide infrastructure support, financial assistance and recognition will go a long way to boost the changes and in improving the life support systems of the rural masses.

Rural technology is innovative ideas and the development of environment friendly, energy efficient technologies and entrepreneurs, mostly women. The day is not far off when the rural technologies that have been and are being developed will make our nation proud of not only a rich culture but of even those people at the lowest echelons of the society who will be not only tech-savvy, but also self-reliant.

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—About our writer:

Sarda says, "Am a Research professional, interested in arts,wildlife, environment and healthcare. I love to do collages, powerpoints on topics of interest and just anything that interests me at the moment. Believe in "Give to the world the best I can and the best will come back to me." My husband and a naughtly little loving son, Vikram are my family. My son is my inspiration to achieve more and more in life. Love life , Live it- is the moolmantra I have devised for myself and for others."

Indian Rural Technologies

What’s out?

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