GUIDELINES FOR FORMULATION OF PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRE (TRC)

GUIDELINES FOR FORMULATION OF PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRE (TRC)

UNDER Advancement of Rural Technology Scheme (ARTS)

INTRODUCTION

Union Ministry of Rural Development had set up Council for Advancement of Rural Technology (CART) in February 1984. It was given the broad mandate of coordinating all efforts towards advancement of technology relevant to rural areas except for sectors being dealt with by ICAR, CSIR and their sister organisations. The principal rationale for setting up of CART was that most of the efforts at development technologies for rural areas had been confined to the R & D stage and the benefits of these efforts had not reached the rural community. Consequently, the main task assigned to CART was to promote and support efforts for the transfer of technology. In September 1986, CART was merged with Peoples Action for Development India (PADI) and named as Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART). After merger CART, which was an institution was made a Division of CAPART named as Advancement of Rural Technology Scheme (ARTS), which is now called as Rural Technology Division (RTD).

The broad objectives of the Council as regards development and dissemination of appropriate technologies for enhancement of rural prosperity are: -

- - To act as a national nodal point for coordination of all efforts for development and dissemination of innovative technologies relevant for rural areas;

- To act as a catalyst for development of technology appropriate for rural areas by identifying and funding sharply focussed and need-based projects;

- To strengthen existing institutions of research and development and set up new institutions for conducting need-based study, survey, adaptive research and development, field trials, demonstration, dissemination and popularization and evaluation of appropriate technologies amongst the end–users in rural areas;

- To act as a clearing house of information and build up a data bank of technologies for rural areas;

- To facilitate marketing of proven technologies by disseminating necessary information to manufacturers and users of machinery, tools, equipment and spare parts;

- To act as a conduit for transfer of appropriate rural technologies to voluntary agencies, Government departments, public sector undertakings and members of public;

- To create a network of Voluntary Organizations on a regional basis which could understand and then carry forward the thrust of rural technology to the rural areas

- To assist Voluntary Organisations to set up Demonstration training centres for upgrading the skills of village youths, artisans, women and other target groups for their effective participation in development programmes;

- To conduct or sponsor awareness camps, training programmes, meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, consultations, to promote interaction between Government agencies, technical institutions and voluntary agencies working in the field of rural development and technology.

- To document, prepare, print and publish papers, periodicals, bulletins, monographs, books, video films and CD etc. for dissemination of appropriate technologies.

ADVANCEMENT OF RURAL TECHNOLOGY SCHEME (ARTS)

Under Advancement of Rural Technology Scheme, CAPART supports projects aimed at the following:

¨ Conducting need-based study, survey, adaptive Research and Development, field trials, demonstration and dissemination of appropriate technologies amongst the rural masses.

¨ Upgrading of the technical skills of village youths, artisans, women and other target groups through demonstration and training centres set up by voluntary organisations.

¨ Interaction between governmental agencies, technical institutions and voluntary organisations working in the field of rural development through training programmes, seminars, workshops and meetings.

¨ Strengthening of existing institutions and setting up of new institutions like Technology Resource Centres (TRCs) for the above purpose

The main thrust of the ARTS is to promote innovative rural technologies in the villages, especially for the disadvantaged sections. Such technologies are considered innovative which are newly designed and lab tested to be viable, but are neither being promoted by extension agencies of the central and the state Govt. nor are yet commercialized to be eligible for bank / Institutional finance. However, an exception to this rule is made in the context of traditional technologies which though relevant, have fallen into disuse for want of adequate back up and support by governmental institutions. In this category indigenous system of metallurgy, building construction and traditional systems of medicines etc. are being supported. Project for the promotion of well established technologies are generally not encouraged since these are considered as being covered under the sphere of activities of other development departments/agencies, both central and state.

ELIGIBILITY

For purpose of financial assistance, non-governmental voluntary organizations working in rural areas with legal status as a Societies registered Act 1860 or under the corresponding State Act, as a Trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1982 or the Charitable and Religious Act, 1920 are eligible subject to the condition that:

Ø The Registration of the organisation should be three years old.

Ø The organisation should have a proven track record of working with people’s participation.

Ø The organisation should have a Bank or Post Office account for the last three years.

Ø The organisation should not have been put under funding restrictions.

Ø The area of operation of the projects must necessarily be rural.

Ø Governmental institutions and individual inventors at the discretion of the competent authority may also be considered for assistance under the scheme.

CRITERIA FOR PROJECT ASSISTANCE UNDER ARTS

Ø Need-based adaptive research and development of new rural technologies or optimization of existing technologies.

Transfer of need-based technologies through training programmes, demonstration, field trials and marketing with active community participation.

Ø Surveys conducted as path-finding exercise to facilitate implementation of action oriented projects or undertaken for impact assessment on completion of technology oriented action projects.

Ø The technology proposed should be environment friendly simple, easy to learn, easy to demonstrate, easy to maintain, cost effective, culturally and socially acceptable to the target groups.

Ø The technology should utilize locally available human resources and to the extent possible, local materials which are currently unused /under-used or `wrongly used.

Ø The proposal should not be purely research oriented and for creation of assets/infrastructure for the organization.

CAPART is also attempting to have a well spread network of Technology Resource Centres (TRCs) to cover, as far as possible, all parts of the country.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRES:-

Dissemination of appropriate technologies to the target groups in rural areas is the prime objective of CAPART. In order that sustainable benefits accrue to socio-economically deprived sections of rural society, the spread of proven and sustainable eco-friendly technology packages which generate employment, increase production, improve quality, reduce drudgery, raise income and improve living conditions is viewed as a process of key importance. This can be effectively carried out by grass-root Voluntary Organisations (VOs). However, most of these VOs need technical assistance and guidance regarding choice of suitable technologies, adaptation to field conditions, appropriate methodologies for transfer including training, involvement of beneficiaries and S&T based backup. This need is envisaged to be met by the Technology Resource Centres(TRCs). Who would:

Þ Identify, motivate and networking grass-root VOs to take up technology dissemination programmes and catalyze Projects for them;

Þ Provide technical assistance to VOs involved in dissemination;

Þ Provide assistance in all related functions like feasibility studies, training, documentation, market formation/promotion etc.;

Þ Develop and absorb technologies suited to field conditions;

Þ Undertake adaptation or optimization of technology packages;

Þ Demonstrate these technologies in the area;

Þ Develop/promote linkages with PRIs and local government agencies;

Þ Link up with S&T experts/institutions to channelise their expertise for the VOs, and finally to the people.

Therefore, a programme for setting up technology development and technology transfer institutions as Technology Resource Centres (TRCs) located in rural areas was initiated by CAPART under ARTS. These Centres are designed to test technologies suitable for the specific geographical area, make modifications where necessary, and initiate the process of transfer of viable technologies through demonstration, training and manufacture. The unique feature about these Centres is that they are all managed by Voluntary organizations which have a high degree of technical competence. Under this programme Voluntary agencies with proven track record of adaptive R&D and technology transfer are supported with one time grant for creation of necessary infrastructure and some recurring expenses. These Centres are expected to act as focal points of referral of technology gaps in that area and generation of matching solutions to answer the technology needs identified by Government and non-governmental institutions. These Centres also conduct training programmes at various levels specially trainers’ training programme.

The basic criteria for eligibility to apply for Technology Resource Centre are as follows:-

Þ Demonstrable achievements in design development and dissemination of innovative technologies for at least 5 years.

Þ Evidence of linkages and interaction with National and State level S&T institutions in technology adoption, adaptation and exchange activities.

Þ Good track record of adaptive R&D and transfer of technologies in rural areas.

Þ Adequate infrastructure such as training facilities, workshops, laboratories, tools and equipment etc.

Þ Professional capabilities to disseminate technologies through presentation, demonstration and training.

Þ Policy of openness to interact with other voluntary agencies in the area and willingness to spontaneously respond to their needs.

It needs to be emphasised here that the primary expectations from TRCs is to act as partner of CAPART in reaching out to the disadvantaged sections of rural society. TRCs are viewed not as ‘centre of excellence’ alienated and distant from the people but as active instruments of change, equipped to innovate and create, capable of initiating and sustaining S&T based programmes of sweeping dimentions, with demonstrable and lasting effects. Thus, while identifying VOs for designating (and supporting) them as TRCs, the main consideration is to see whether the VOs perspective, past activities, capabilities and location are conducive to the above objectives, especially its outreach capacity. Here, it need to be noted that if a future potential is strongly indicated, that too should be considered.

In the context of this broad perspective, VOs may submit Proposals for being designated as TRCs on the basis of the framework/format given in the following sections. It should be in the nature of a Programme of Action since the primary aim of TRCs is to enhance and strengthen outreach. It should also contain relevant information as spelt out in the following format.

The format is divided in to three parts:-

Part A:- Background Information- Details of VO’s past records and experience,

Part B:- Proposed Programme of Action- Details of Action Programmes to be taken up with Annexures/Enclosures specifying methodology and time schedule,

Part C:- Budget Estimates- Detailed Budget Estimates specifying estimated cost of Non-recurring and Recurring items with justifications.

These are over and above the essential documents requirements of CAPART such as

1. Organizational Profile in prescribed format,

2. Attested photocopy of original Registration Certificate, Memorandum and Bye-Laws of the Organisation,

3. Photocopy of Audited statements of Accounts and Balance sheet of the VO of last three yeas,

4. Annual Reports of the VO of last three years

CAPART is also engaged in dissemination and transfer of 10 technologies identified by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for large scale dissemination by voluntary organisations working with CAPART. The details of DST-CAPART collaborative programmes are as follows:-

S.No.	Technology	Key Voluntary Agency
1.	Low cost Housing (Mud Block), MCR Tiles etc.	Forum of scientists, Engineers & Technologists (FOSET), West Bengal
2.	Rock Bee Honey	Centre for Science for Villages (CSV), Wardha
3.	Fruit/Vegetable Processing	Centre for Technology and Development (CTD), Delhi
4.	Pottery	Centre for Technology and Development (CTD), Delhi
5.	Tanning & Carcass	Society for Technology & Development (STD), H.P.
6.	Fish Aggregation device	WAVES, Tamil Nadu
7.	Emitter System	Centre for Science for Villages (CSV), Wardha
8.	Nursery Techniques	Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), Pune
9.	Pyrolysis & Briquetting	Himalayan Environmental Studies & Conservation Organisation (HESCO), Gwarchoki, Gholtir, District – Chamoli, Garhwal (U.P.)
10.	Sprirulina	Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC), Chennai

Functioning of Rural Technology Division has also been decentralized by delegating the powers of sanctioning projects up to Rs. 20 lakhs in respect of decentralized technologies to the CAPART Regional Committee Offices in the Country. The following technologies has been decentralized:

1. Fire Retardant Thatch

2. Rain Water Harvesting

3. Vermi-cuture/vermicompsting

4. Energy efficient crematorium

5. Hydraulic Rampump

6. Random rubble blocks

7. Ferrocement Roofing

8. Fish Aggregating Devices

Technologies identified for promotion during 2000-2001

AGRICULTURE

PROMOTION OF ORGANIC FARMING / SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

BIO-COMPOSTING

NADEP Composting

Improvised Govindo Compost

Micronutrient Fortified Compost

Probiotic fertlisers

Vermi composting

Vermi wash

Cattle-shed wash

Bio dung

Biogas slurry

Slaughter house waste

Poultry litter

Oil cakes

Blue green algae

Azolla

Bio-fertilizers

Mulching

Green Manuring

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF DISEASES & PESTS

Bio-pesticides

Predators

Animals

Birds

Insects

SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGIES

Tissue culture

Green house

Bio-mass utilization

PISCICULTURE

Aquaculture –circular hatchery

Prawn Culture

Fish Aggregating devices

WATER HARVESTING

Rain Water Harvesting from Roof Tops

Hydraulic Rampump

Agri-film lining of ponds

Emitter irrigation

ENERGY

Low cost Pyrolyzer

Charcoal making and fuel briquetting

Improved Wood gasifier

Garbage Gas Manure Plant

Solar Photovoltaic Lighting

Solar cooker

Improved Water Mill

Improved Crematorium

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

Random Rubble Block (RRB)

Ferro-cement

Conical Hollow tiles for Arch Roofing

Chemical Treatment of coconut leaf thatch.

Fire Retardant Thatch

Mud Blocks

VILLAGE INSDUSTRIES

Pottery

Improved Pottery Techniques

Improved pottery Kiln

Improved Glazing Techniques

Rubber Tapping

Leather Tanning

Carcass utilization

Fruit and Vegetable Processing

Bamboo cultivation

Bamboo and Cane craft

Handloom

Handicrafts

Mushroom cultivation

Apiculture – Honey Processing

Rock Bee Honey

HERBAL MEDICINES

Identification of medicinal plants

Cultivation

Processing

Documentation and publication of manuals

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRES

Strengthening existing TRCs

Establishment of new TRCs

Networking and coordination with TRCs

Skill development –Training

Meetings/Workshop/Seminars/Conferences

Documentation

Publication

Conducting Evaluation Studies of various Technologies.

CAPART RURAL TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

REQUIREMENT OF FUNDS FOR PROVIDING TRAINING FACILITIES FOR TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRES, RESOURCE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND THE ENDUSERS.

The primary expectations from TRCs is to act as partner of CAPART in reaching out to the disadvantaged sections of rural society. TRCs are viewed not as ‘centre of excellence’ alienated and distant from the people but as active instruments of change, equipped to innovate and create, capable of initiating and sustaining S&T based programmes of sweeping dimentions, with demonstrable and lasting effects.

CAPART has so far sanctioned 18 TRCs involving financial assistance of Rs. 7.0 crores out of these only 15 TRCs are functional at present. It is proposed to have at least one TRC in each state. We have planned to set up 30 new TRCs at an estimated financial out lay of Rs.15 crores by the end of 10^th Five Year Plan. Besides, about 50 Resource VOs will be sanctioned projects for conducting training programmes in various rural technologies for the grass root VOs and the end users at an estimated financial out lay of Rs.5.0 crores. Thus CAPART require additional fund allocation of Rs.20 crores for supporting training activities.