First Annual Review Meeting of RuTAG 2.0 Projects

• 09 Dec 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the first annual review meeting of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0 projects was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, Kashmir.

Key Points

• Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG):
  • About:
    • RuTAG is an initiative of the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) since 2004.
    • It was conceptualized as a mechanism to provide a higher level of science and technology 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.
  • Achievements:
    • Effective outreach to Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and community organizations.
    • Innovations reduced labor, enhanced production, and improved rural livelihoods.
  • RuTAG 2.0:
    • It was launched in April 2023 to focus on commercialization and widespread dissemination of technologies across sectors such as agriculture, textiles, energy, water conservation, healthcare, and more.
• Event Activities:
  • The foundation stone was laid down for a system designed to improve water and fertilizer efficiency, promoting sustainable farming.
  • Dignitaries explored ongoing research and technological advancements at SKUAST-Kashmir.
  • Demonstrations from seven RuTAG centres showcased grassroots innovations for rural development.
  • The official RuTAG logo was introduced to unify and strengthen communication among stakeholders.
  • RuTAG Centres that were present in the meeting were SKUAST-Kashmir, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) Hyderabad.
• Strategic Initiatives:
  • RuTAGe Smart Village Centres (RSVC) was introduced to transform villages into economic hubs using innovative, affordable, and tailored technologies.
  • The event facilitated discussions on upscaling technologies, design improvements, and expanding adoption in similar regions across India.

Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA):

• India has had a Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) since 1999. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the first PSA from 1999-2001.
• The PSA’s office aims to provide pragmatic and objective advice to the Prime Minister and the cabinet in matters of Science and Technology. The Office of PSA was placed under the Cabinet Secretariat in 2018.
• The Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) is an overarching Council that facilitates the PSA’s Office to assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges in hand, formulate specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.
• The Office of PSA, supported by the project management team at Invest India, is facilitating the delivery and progress of all Nine national missions under PM-STIAC. Four of the nine missions, Deep Ocean Mission, Natural Language Translation mission, AI mission, and Quantum Frontier mission have been approved