Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG)

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Empowering rural communities at the grassroots level through demand-driven S&T interventions

Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) is an initiative of the Office of the PSA since 2004. RuTAG, supported by the Office of the PSA, was conceptualized as a mechanism to provide a higher level of S&T intervention and support for rural areas. Under this initiative, the interventions are designed to be primarily demand-driven, focusing on bridging technology gaps at the grassroots level, upgrading technology, and providing training and demonstrations through innovative projects.

Mandate and Objectives

(a) Mandate

Updating traditional knowledge/methods and practices with appropriate technology developed by research institutions with potential for IPR.
Connect at grass root level to understand the demands and develop the innovative rural technologies with commercialization potential.

(b) Objectives

To connect with possible stakeholders like NGOs (Non-Government Organizations), SHGs, (Self Help Groups), COs (Community Organizations) Start-ups, Technology Incubators, and Fabricators to identify sector-specific technology needs.
To develop demand-driven technologies based on socio-economic data coherent with national/regional priorities, national policies/ schemes etc.
To validate developed prototypes supported with impact studies and explore their commercialization with scalability aspects.
To commercialize the potentially validated technologies for national/global markets.

What We Do:

Empowering rural communities: We work to empower rural populations by providing them with the tools and technologies they need to thrive.

Demand-driven solutions: We focus on identifying and addressing specific technological challenges faced by rural communities.

Grassroots implementation: We prioritize practical implementation of solutions at the local level, ensuring a direct impact on people's lives.

Our Approach:

Bridging the technology gap: We bridge the gap between existing technologies and the needs of rural areas by adapting, innovating, and promoting appropriate solutions.

Technology upgrading: We support the upgrading of traditional practices and technologies by incorporating advancements from the established RuTAG Centres.

Capacity building: We provide training and demonstrations to ensure the effective adoption and utilization of new technologies by rural communities.

Promoting Sustainability: We focus on developing technologies with commercialization potential for long-term impact.

Collaboration: We work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including NGOs, SHGs, COs, startups, technology incubators, and fabricators, to achieve our goals.

RuTAG 1.0

RuTAG 2.0

Launched in 2004, RuTAG Phase 1 established centers at seven selected Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs):

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (2004)
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (2008)
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (2008)
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (2009)
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (2009)
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2010)
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2013)

RuTAG Phase 1 fostered strong partnerships with approximately 752 NGOs and engaged in 388 projects. This extensive network facilitated the successful dissemination of these technologies across diverse geographical regions.

These centers have played a crucial role in identifying and addressing specific technological challenges faced by rural communities. Through a collaborative approach, RuTAG Phase 1 has successfully developed and field-tested 59 innovative technologies across a wide range of sectors including Agriculture & Farm Machinery, Textiles, Energy, Livelihood Generation, Artisans, Water Management, Aquaculture, and others.

The final review meeting for RuTAG Phase-1 projects took place on December 22nd, 2023, chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-PIs from the seven RuTAG Centers (IIT Bombay, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Madras, Delhi, Kanpur, and Guwahati) presented their progress reports, highlighting the program's most successful technological advancements. These technologies were evaluated for their potential for wider dissemination and application across various regions of the country.

The thirty-four (34) technologies from RuTAG Phase-1 have been selected for wider dissemination and scale-up. The descriptions of these technologies can be found in this link.

The videos showcasing these technologies are provided below:

Modification of the Mechanized Roller with Different Sizes (Namda Roller)
Pico Hydro Based Cold Storage
Design of Variable Speed Motorized Bageshwari Wool Charkha
Air Cooled based Vegetable Vending Push Cart
Portable Cow Lift for Assisting a Downer Cow
Technology for Construction of Surface Water Storage Tank using Locally Available Fibers for Watershed Management
Shaft Water Technology
Market Mirchi
Mobile Subjee Cooler
Hank to Bobbin Winding Machine
Pirn Winding Machine
Sectional Warping Machine
Modified Bicycle As A Rural Vending Cart
Cold Pressed Oil Extraction Machine
Sabjikothi
LCB Fertilizers
Krishi Mandi Data Driven AI Optimised Agri-Supply Chain
Integrated Processing Machine
Tulsi Mala Bead Making Device
Rural Pottery Kiln
Sheep-hair Shearing Device
Bangle Making Furnace
Ground Water Level Measuring Device
Carpet Loom
Bidriware Metal Coloring Technique
Electronic Jacquard Handloom for Weaving Fine Korai Design Mats
Upgradation of Automatic Coir Spinning Machines- Kerala State Coir Machinery Manufacturing Company (KSCMMC)
Crossfyre Platform
Mango Decorticator
Retrofit Vending Cart Models
Puffed Rice Making Machine
Sabai Grass Rope Making Machine
Motorized Potter’s Wheel
Motorized Sutli Making Technologies

Contact Us

Dr. Monoranjan Mohanty

RuTAG Coordinator,

(Adviser/Scientist 'G', Office of the PSA)

Email: rutag-project@psa.gov.in