Rural entrepreneurship gets a major push

Visakhapatnam: In a major push towards rural entrepreneurship and community-led innovation, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) transferred five indigenously developed societal technologies to local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) here on Monday. The technology transfer took place under BARC’s flagship Advanced Knowledge for Rural Technology Implementation (AKRUTI) programme, facilitated by the Technology Enabling Centre (DST G-TEC). As part of the milestone event, the BARC AKRUTI Kendra was inaugurated at GITAM’s Venture Development Centre to serve as a permanent technology translation hub for the region. The five specific solutions developed by BARC handed over to local MSMEs include a soil organic carbon detection kit for rapid soil health assessment, a foldable solar dryer for eco-friendly post-harvest processing, the superabsorbent BARC-Hydrogel (MRIDAMRT) to enhance soil moisture retention, a vibro thermal disinfector (VTD) for seed treatment, and a manually operated Bamboo cutting kit to support rural artisans.

Addressing the gathering, Daniel Babu, head of BARC’s technology transfer and collaboration division, highlighted that the AKRUTI programme demonstrates how advanced technologies can directly benefit rural and semi-urban communities at affordable costs. He said that fostering techno-preneurship around the Department of Atomic Energy and BARC innovations creates sustainable livelihood opportunities directly within villages.

Emphasising the connection between academic research and commercial deployment, Krishna Kanth Pulicherla, scientist ‘E’ at the Department of Science and Technology’s TTI division, stressed that scientific research must be directed toward real-world societal application.

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The Hans India