The first annual review meeting of RuTAG 2.0 projects chaired by Prof. A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India was held during 5-6th December, 2024, at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST),Srinagar, Kashmir.

The meeting featured dignitaries including Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA; Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shri Saurav Baghat, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Jammu and Kashmir; Dr. Haroon Naik, Director of Research at SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr. Monoranjan Mohanty, Adviser, Office of the PSA; Dr. Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist, Office of the PSA; members of the Project Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC), representatives from the RuTAG centres. along with several high-ranking State officials and industrialists.

The primary objective of the meeting was to review the progress presented by the seven RuTAG 2.0 centers (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee, SKUAST-Kashmir, IIT Guwahati & ICAR-NAARM Hyderabad).

This two-day RuTAG meeting facilitated cross-collaboration for potential upscale of technologies, design improvements, use cases and further adoption of technologies in other areas of the country with similar local demands. During the meeting, the RuTAGe Smart Village Centres (RSVC) Initiative from the Office of the PSA was also introduced, highlighting a vision to transform villages into economic hubs through the deployment of innovative, affordable, and context-specific technologies tailored to local needs.

A major highlight of the event was the launch of the official RuTAG logo by Prof. Sood, symbolizing unity and collaboration among stakeholders.

The meeting convened 61 participants, including scientists, academicians, industrialists, state officials, and representatives from various RuTAG centres, marking a milestone in promoting technological innovation for rural development. The event concluded with a strategic discussion on the future roadmap for RuTAG 2.0. In his closing remarks, Prof. Sood stressed the importance of scaling up RuTAG technologies to achieve broader societal impact and enhance the quality of life in rural areas.

Fig. Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, chairing the First Annual Review Meeting of RuTAG 2.0 projects

Fig. Unveiling of the official logo of RuTAG

Fig. Prof. Sood laying the foundation stone of IoT-based fertigation system at SKUAST

Fig. Stalls displaying innovative rural technologies developed by RuTAG centres

Fig. Discussion during the annual review meeting of RuTAG 2.0 projects

Fig. Group photo of the participants at the meeting

The first Annual Review Meeting of RuTAG 2.0 Projects

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