TRC
Technology Resource Centre
In order to share the expertise in various rural technologies imbibed over the few decades, a Technology Resource Centre (TRC) has been established in collaboration with the Council For Advancement Of Peoples Action And Rural Technology (CAPART) (Under the aegis of Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India).
Contents |
Objectives
- To Enhance and strengthen the outreach capacity of Non-Government Organizations through motivation and networking.
- To take up technology dissemination programme and catalyse project formulation.
- To be a Supporting voluntary organization (SVO) and Facilitation Centre for community based organizations (CBOs).
- To function as an Expert Centre for the ISRO Village Resource Centre Network
The innovative element of our workshop is the project formulation, which is not only getting appreciation from all, but fulfills the needs of a grass root NGO/organization in resource mobilization.
Technologies
- Food Processing
- Organic Farming
- Conservation, Cultivation and Commercialization of medicinal plants
- Alternate / Cost effective Rural Building
- Sanitation & Drinking Water
- Rain Water & Roof Water Harvesting
- Income Generation & other Rural Development Activities
Food Processing
The focus has been on income generation and entrepreneurship for Self-help Groups(SHGs) and individuals through NGOs. The duration of the workshop ranges from 3 to 15 days depending on the requirement of the beneficiaries. The modular programme is region-specific and is drawn up based on raw material availability in the areas of the participating NGOs Masala powder, sauces, jams & jellies, squashes, chips, papad, energy food, ready made mix products are some products. The preservation and hygiene component is taken care to a great extent in this programme.
Organic Farming
The long term use of chemical fertilizers has created an adverse effect on the environment, soil structure, ground water as well as human health.TRC thus promotes the technology of Organic farming so that the ill effects of chemical fertilizers may be countered with by disseminating this technology to grass root NGOs. The schedule is designed in such a way that a farmer gets an instant solution to the age old problem of disease and pest. Preparation of fertilizers and pesticides using locally available materials like cow dung, cow urine, and other local plants are the mainstay of the workshop. In addition indigenous technologies on soil and water conservation measures, plant growth promoters, soil micro-nutrients are covered to make farming holistic.
Conservation, Cultivation and Commercialisation of medicinal plants:
Local health traditions amount to 25% of the national health budget, if the state were to spend for it says a rough estimate. Taking this as a cue this workshop makes an attempt to cover the entire gamut of medicinal plant scenario from conservation and cultivation to commercialization. Demonstration of effective home remedies, backyard herbal garden, cultivation, pre and post harvest technologies, processing, value addition and marketing form the major contents. With the onslaught of the patent regime it is essential that the Community Bio Registers are in place, which documents in detail the knowledge, skill and the technology of plant based and other resources of villages. This workshop discusses this issue and the validation of this information. Sustainable collection of Minor Forest Produce has gained significant ground in the present context of destructive practices. The workshop dwells on scientific principles based on the collective experience of soliga tribes with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (www.atree.org).
Alternate / Cost effective Rural Building
This gives an insight to the alternate construction materials from local resources. It introduces the participant to the various options of construction in terms of design, materials, appearance without compromising strength and durability. Compressed mud blocks, filler slab, ferro-cement are few technologies promoted by us. Structures with vaults, arches, jack arches, tiles on steel frames are inherent in our designs. In total we suggest various alternatives in providing cost effective houses, which is suitable and affordable for the rural poor.
Village Resource Centre
The TRC is an Expert Centre for the space technology enabled Village Resource Centre network in collaboration with ISRO. 19 VRCs located in PHCs under the total management of Karuna Trust (www.karunatrust.org) are covered by this network. The network provides for VSAT connectivity at all these PHC's providing the following services:
- Telemedicine.
- Tele-agriculture & Tele-education.
- Farmer Advisories & Information on new programs.
- Land-use pattern, Waste-land management & Watershed development.
- Capacity - building of PHC staff and effective PHC management.
The network will also broadcast all the workshops conducted at the TRC to the rural people at the PHC/SHGs/other NGOs, thus increasing the scope of the training programs.
Tribal Resource Centre
In addition the TRC houses a Tribal Resource Centre where one can access information about tribal development in Karnataka.
Infrastructure
- 1 large Seminar Hall - 40 people.
- 1 smaller hall – 15 people.
- In-house accommodation and mess facilities for 40 people.
- Demonstration plot - Medicinal plants, Organic farming.
- Scenic location at the foot of Chamundi hills on the Ooty road.
