Annual Report 2007-2008

Science and Technology Programmes for Socioeconomic Development

The Societal Programme of the Department plays a vital role in the development strategy of various sections of the society, which provides opportunities to motivated scientists, engineers and field level workers to take-up time bound developmental projects with inputs of Science & Technology for the benefit of disadvantaged sections of the society. The programmes are being implemented through S&T institutions, universities and S&T based voluntary organizations under various schemes. Highlights of various schemes are given below:

Science and Technology Application Programme

Science and Technology Application for Rural Development (STARD)

I. Core Support to Science and Technology based Field Groups:

Core support was extended to eleven science based voluntary organizations working in different parts of the rural India to address local problems through need based S&T solutions. The core support is being utilized by each field group to nurture and sustain scientific manpower to take up challenges to work on issues/problems related to sustainable rural livelihoods both in farm as well as non farm sector. These groups have major focus on technology development and dissemination in respective geographical coverage area to train and empower local community in micro-watershed development; bio-control, bio-fertilizer production and application; development of computerized village information support system; application of improved and sustainable agriculture practices with post harvest processing for value addition; cost effective use of construction and renewable energy technologies to benefit small and marginal farmers & traditional artisans.

II. Network Programmes

II.1 Technology Intervention in Mountain Ecosystem (TIME) Programme:

Efforts have been made to support need based projects at the grassroot level in mountain areas to enhance rural livelihoods with networking approach.

Specific Achievements:

• Standardization of drying, storage and packaging technology for nuts of Chilgoza (Pinus geradiana Wall) grown in dry temperate area by Y.S. Pamar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan for sustainable livelihoods of tribals of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh.
• Technology intervention in selected medicinal and aromatic plants (Lavandula officinalis, V. jatamansi, Angelica glauca) for the development and benefit of a group of small farmers from Jasaurgarh (Chamba district). A model essential oil production unit for a group of 10-15 farming families has been set up to process the elite plant material being cultivated by them with improved agro-technology with the support of scientists from IHBT, Palampur, HP.
• Development of model mechanism for registration of farmers' strains under PPV & FR, collected from Uttarakhand, UP and other states by G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. So far, 24 farmers' strains of rice and 7 farmer's strains of sorghum have been purified. Two applications of farmers' varieties have been filed on behalf of the farmers.
• Implementation of specific project on planting stock improvement of some indigenous fuel-wood and fodder tree species for higher biomass production in relevance to hilly region of Garhwal Himalaya by FRI, Dehradun. Under this project at three different altitudinal locations, the villagers/farmers were given training on collection of seed, rooting of cuttings, growing nursery and field planting, and were supplied with quality planting stock of indigenous fuel wood and fodder tree species (Grewia optiva, Kydia calyciana, Morus alba, M. serrata, Salix spp., Ficus cunia, Bauhinia purpurea etc.) to plant in their agricultural land. This will help to meet the daily requirement of fuel wood and fodder and to reduce the pressure on forests and drudgery involved in traveling long distances.
• Development of briquetting technology package emphasizing the large scale utilization of invasive biomass (Lantana) for energy needs of rural households in mountain areas. Complete technology package based on field trials at some locations in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh has been developed as business model by Development Alternatives, a science based NGO located in Delhi. The final package is poised to provide means of sustainable income generation to rural micro-entrepreneurs with production of efficient cooking fuel.

New projects supported:

• Integration of local bio-resources and other eco-friendly methods for the management of post harvest diseases of apple in Himachal Pradesh.
• Evaluation of water use efficiency for maximization of pea and tomato productivity in North-west Himalayan region.
• Earthquake disaster mitigation through innovative income opportunities in Uri Sector, J&K.

II.2 Coordinated Research Programme on Biological Integration of Farming Activities & Resource Management (BIOFARM) for poor small farmers is being implemented at 17 locations spread across different agro-ecological regions of the country. Different integrated model farms using biological resources/inputs from other sub-systems within the farms, like poultry, composting, fishery, have helped to improve and sustain farm productivity with improved net income value.

II.3 Mission Mode Network Programme: Under this programme, following projects have been supported for fine tuning of existing technology models to develop effective business models suitable for different rural settings:

• Design, development and demonstration of improved energy-saving high efficiency rural jaggery making systems in U.P., Uttarakhand and similar areas by Centre for Technology and Development, New Delhi.
• Semi-mechanized process for enhancing quality and productivity in brick making by Development Alternatives, New Delhi.
• Quality upgradation of spice crops by establishing spice processing and information centers and development of innovative technology based enterprises among women self help groups in Peermade and Udubanchola Taluks of Idukki District by Peermade Development Society, Idukki District, Tamil Nadu.
• Gasifier stoves using biomass as fuel by Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), Pune.
• Developing cost effective perfume compounds for use on rural soap and agarbathi industries by Gandhigram Trust, Gandhigram, Tamil Nadu.
• Field testing of the low capacity brick kiln under different conditions by Technology Informatics Design Endeavour (TIDE), Bangalore.
• Pilot scale field optimization and demonstration of new rotary system for production of tanning extracts and blends from local raw materials by Centre for Technology and Development, New Delhi.
• Development and popularization of cost effective machineries for rural masons by Mitraniketan, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

III. New Initiatives and Individual Projects

New Projects Supported:

During the year, 35 new time-bound projects including Finalization of carpentry workstation for rural artisans; Introduce information and bio-technology for youths in Agrarian Community in each village of a Gram Panchayat of Kanksa Panchayat of Burdwan District; Setting up of Grameen Takniki Nirman Anubhava Shala (Community Rural Technology Park) at Itawah, UP for training local community of select villages in construction related technologies in available ravine land; Improving longevity of tube-well in rural areas of Jharkhand; Economic enabling of salt affected belt and agricultural lands in Sultanpur and Raibareli districts of UP by establishing 'Aroma bio-villages' through technology intervention; Effective processing of cotton rags mixed with synthetic fibre for handmade paper making; Survey of important pest and diseases of rice and adoption of their management practices in Senapati District, Manipur; Bioconversion of water hyacinth for sustainable livelihood; Development of safe chaff cutter; and Production, algalization and demonstration project on cyanobacteria/Azolla bio-fertilizer package for rice cultivation in Manipur were supported.

Specific Achievements:

• Development of standard kits of LED light units (emergency lamps, LED strips, torches etc.) for small scale production by rural youths under a project being implemented by Vigyan Ashram, Pune. This group has developed solar power and Pedal power charged LED units (Figure 8.1), and won 'Development Marketplace Award' for innovative work.
  
  

Figure 8.1 Solar Power and Pedal Power charged LED unites

• Design, fabrication and field testing of different types of tools and attachments that can be fitted to power tillers (Figure 8.2) to benefit the farmers for multi-purpose use such as furrowing, spraying pesticide, harvesting, drilling hole and digging pit by SASTRA University, Thanjavur.

• Implementation of project "Community based sustainable water management in a micro-watershed area" by TIDE, Bangalore involving and benefiting local community of two villages namely Nimbekayapura and Bendiganahalli, Bangalore East Taluk. Project intervention at 12 locations has helped farmers in effective water management and enhancing their income through greenhouse horticulture (Figure 8.3).

• Development of nutrient fortified solar dried fruit snack bars by SEED, Hyderabad. This project has resulted in development of fortified mango bar with protein concentrate / isolate - of soya bean / whey protein / Pea protein by scale up of the laboratory experiments to pilot scale process.
• Setting up of a model Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) unit at Baidyapur village, Nadia, West Bengal by Development Alternative, Delhi involving local NGO for the economical, energy efficient and environment friendly manufacture of bricks to align with ISO 9000 standards. Moreover, this technology has potential of using a considerable amount of industrial waste material thus benefiting to protect the use of top soil in brick making business.

New Initiatives

A Rural Energy Programme at 10 non-grid locations in identified villages based on energy survey needs has been started to address small energy needs for lighting etc. and linking it with micro-enterprise generation.

The model villages viz. Merak village in Ladakh (J&K); Hazulu village, Changlang district (Arunachal Pradesh); Shivapura village, Joida Taluk, Uttara Kannada District (Karnataka); Jarga village, Ranchi district (Jharkhand); and Upper Killing village, Kamrup District (Assam), have been identified for such intervention based on solar and biomass based energy generation and LED based lighting.

IV. Monitoring Mechanism and Sensitization about the Programme

For effective implementation of individual as well as network programme projects, participatory group-monitoring workshops were organized. Total 65 ongoing projects were monitored by an expert team.

Science & Technology Application for the Weaker Sections (STAWS)

This scheme is aimed at the development of economically weaker sections of the society in both rural and urban areas, with focus on S&T inputs for improvement of rural artisans, landless labourers, etc. Under this scheme, main thrust is on evolving and demonstrating replicable technology models for benefit of the weaker sections. Where ever possible and feasible, establishment of micro-enterprises for improved livelihood is advised as a project deliverable.

Salient achievements under some projects supported under this scheme are:-

I. Coordinated Programmes

I.1 Non-Edible Oils (NEO)

Under this programme, for gainful utilization of NEO bearing plants, a generic technology package is proposed to be adapted, tested and optimized under diverse field conditions through system approach. The programme is being implemented at seven locations involving select group of science-based NGOs in diverse regions viz.-Mandi (H.P.), Medinipur (W.B.), Chhindwara (M.P.), Aizwal (Mizoram), Kharagpur (W.B.), Dehradun (Uttaranchal), and Kanyakumari (T.N.), under the coordination of CTD, New Delhi.

I.2 S&T based Action Projects in Tsunami Affected Areas

This intervention programme focuses on livelihood regeneration, trauma counseling and infrastructure support in Tsunami affected areas. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, is providing technical backup to the involved voluntary organizations in carrying out soil and water related activities. Salient achievements are given below:-

• Skimming of wells for sub surface water harvesting have been established in farmers' field. IFS and greenhouse construction for production of vegetables have been installed (Figure 8.4). Saline tolerant paddy varieties have been collected for sowing and testing. Training was provided in integrated farming, nutrient and pest management, salinity related problems and to grow saline tolerant crop varieties.

• Development of viable, eco friendly technology to generate employment and additional income to the peoples by charcoal briquette making from Casurina leaf litter (Figure 8.5).

• Shelterbelts with economically important plant species viz.-Casuarina equisetifolia, Anacardium occidentale, Thespesia populnea, Cocos nucifera, Ipomoea aquatica, Jatropha curcas etc (Figure 8.6).

• Installation of Fish Aggregation Devices / Artificial Reeves (FADs/ARs) in Tsunami affected coastal villages - Olcotkuppam and Oroorkuppam. Training was imparted to traditional fishermen the fabrication, installation of FADs/ARs and fishing techniques around the installed (FADs/ARs) & (AFH) structures for availability and assured catch of fish and other fishery resources like squids, cuttle fish, crabs and prawns to get better sustainable income.

II. Individual projects

During this period, twelve action oriented projects were supported covering the subject areas of horticulture, biodiversity, medicinal plant cultivation, aquaculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, sustainable agriculture, rural engineering and health and sanitation, etc.

• A project was initiated on "Development of Production Technology for commercial Anthurium cultivation" in North Eastern Hill Region with an aim to develop cost effective production technology and post harvest treatments for promotion of commercial cultivation of Anthurium.
• Under the project on "Promotion of Urban Home Herbal Gardens (UHHG) and Popularisation of Indigenous Systems of Health-care" in Pune, links with specialized nurseries have been established. Labeled plants for households are being sold at 8 places in Pune, for which 9 decentralized nurseries have been established. Micro-enterprises are being developed towards sustainable activities.
• A project for integrated agricultural development was initiated at Vivekanand Ashrama, Shyamla Tal (Champawat, Uttarakhand). The development activities include construction of 18 water harvesting tanks for conservation of rain water in 5 villages. 1000 horticultural plants, like mango, malta, orange, lemon, litchi, peach were planted and high-value, low-volume vegetable crops were identified and nurseries raised. Training and demonstration were organized on improved agricultural practices.
• Under the project "Development of Eco-Tourism on Ken River based on Sport Fisheries with Fishing Rights for Food Fishery to rehabilitate local Fisher Community", rearing of 40 K fry of each - Mahseer & IMC in cages and release of 87 K Mahseer & 90 K IMC fingerlings towards development of eco-fishery sports was carried out. Onsite training was given to beneficiaries in fry rearing, nutrition growth monitoring and sustainable fishing, and development of cost effective feed from locally available material.
• A project was initiated on "Establishment of demonstration, training-cum-production centre for the socioeconomic development of weaker section through eco-friendly sugar free plants cultivation". Under this project, 9 Self Help Groups were identified, and 10 demonstration, training and awakening programmes were organized. Value added products of Stevia, e.g. stevioside powder, are being developed and marketing strategy evolved for sustainable income generation.
• Under a project on "Second commercial silkworm rearing-improvement in socio-economic condition of rearers/reelers", more than 100 silkworm rearers have been trained with scientific principles involved in sericulture enterprise.
• Under a project on "Cultivation, post harvest processing and value addition of medicinal plants for income generation and health protection by rural women of the weaker sections", economic utilization of marginal soils/wastelands was addressed for cultivation of medicinal plants. Inter-cropping systems for income generation and risk insurance were adopted.

III. Projects for technology development/modulation and demonstration

A new project was supported to assess the impact of the newly developed membrane filtration technology on the health, through reduction in water borne diseases in the two States - Nagaland & Arunachal Pradesh.

IV. New Initiatives

• For active participation of the students and teachers of selected Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) in action projects for rural development using S&T based solutions, 6 projects were initiated in the area of water harvesting, cultivation of medicinal plants and vermi-composting etc.
• A new programme on Technology Intervention for Elderly (TIE) was initiated with a focus on selected areas - health and nutritious food, designs, networking and recreation & entertainment. During the year, two projects were supported addressing the designs (Gait sensor) and nutrition aspects.
• A project on "Spreading scientific literacy and awareness and educating scheduled tribes and backward communities to make them understand their legal rights on bioresources" was carried out in selected villages in Jharkhand and Bihar, where awareness related to legal messages was presented in a more social and easily comprehensible context, and included songs, street plays, etc. Public education packages developed in the project include wall papers titled "Bioresources Review"dealing with issues like Intellectual Property Rights, Indigenous Knowledge, Biodiversity and International Agreements and book titled "Bio-resource laws made easy".

Applying S&T for solving societal problems- Scheme for Committed Young Professionals

Action research projects are granted to young scientists (upper age limit of 35 years for men, 40 years for women) with the objectives of (a) attempting a field implementation of an idea, and or (b) developing new techniques for solving problems which do not have clear solutions at present. During the year, 12 projects were sanctioned in the areas of poly house technology, biofertilizers based on cyanobacteria, fish waste management, apiary, dry flower technology, standardization and validation of nutrient management, production of Steviolglycosides, production of electricity from improved cook stoves, etc. Some of the successful technology models developed are given below:

• In a project funded to TN Agricultural University with the objective to minimize the occupational health hazards of women workers employed in micro enterprises, a study was conducted among the garment workers and bamboo workers in Madurai city. 320 garment workers employed in 21 garment units were chosen for the study. Based on the findings of the study appropriate science and technology interventions were carried out such as newly designed workstation, use of cloth masks and promoting use of personal
  protective equipment among garment workers. Use of newly designed workstation reduced the postural stress and also improved the productivity. The tools being used by the bamboo workers were redesigned.
• In another project, an effective bio-control was developed and popularized for white root rot disease of apple. Diseased roots of apple were collected from diseased tree during rainy season (when the pathogen, Dematophora necatrix, is most active) in apple orchards in three apple growing districts of H.P. Twenty different fungi were isolated and screened against pathogen for antagonism. Work was also carried on effect of amendments of cedrus sawdust, cedar wood oil and vermicompost on the growth of pathogen. The pathogen multiplied on wheat grains and anatagonists on wheat brawn sawdust media. Trichoderma harzianum was found most effective against pathogen.
• In a project at Palampur, four indigenous polyhouses were developed and popularized for cultivation of vegetable crops in different agro - climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh.
• Cyanobacterial biofertilizer production technology and its application in field was prepared. Mother culture of cyanobacteria was prepared in polythene bags as well as mixed with paddy straw and soil (carriers) in a project.

Completed Projects

During the year, 7 projects were completed successfully. Some of the achievements are as follows:

• A simple low cost everybody's Mobile Hand Operated Washing Machine has been developed by one of the young scientists.
• A detailed participatory mapping of wells and farms in the East Palaguttapalli Panchayat, Pakala Mandal, Chittor District, A.P., was undertaken using GPS / GIS and involving youth and farmers. The withdrawal of ground water for water - intensive agriculture and recharge from rainfall over the decades were computed and compared.

Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) And Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) For The DevelopmentOf Scheduled Caste Population

Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)

The "Tribal Sub Plan" aims at improving living conditions of Scheduled Tribes based on sustainable science and technology activities. The focus is on creating sustainable livelihood base through use of locally available resources and materials by introduction of technology in traditional skills as well as new vocations. Time bound, field based innovative projects with S&T component are supported. Since tribal economy and livelihood is essentially based on agriculture, natural resources and their traditional craft knowledge, efforts were directed not only to revive these sectors but to improvise them. Thirteen projects have been implemented in far flung, areas of North East. In fact it was a part of strategy to cater to the people of remote areas who do not have access to technological advances.

A project on cost effective design & development of an integrated mechanized system for processing of stick lac to seed lac for use by the rural tribals was successfully completed in Jharkhand. In this project, a prototype of a machine to process stick lac was developed and field tested.

The improved Ram Pump technology to lift water from a very large depth of water level (40-50 feet) from open water source developed earlier is now being field tested at various places in Jharkhand (Figure 8.7). Need-based individual projects having innovative S&T interventions have been taken up in the areas of farm & non-farm sector, horticulture and processing techniques, sustainable agricultural practices, medicinal plants, etc.

A coordinated programme for technology based empowerment of Tribal populations living around protected areas (i.e. National Parks and Sanctuaries) was launched. WWF India, a noted international organization in conservation, was involved in the exercise to identify groups working in and around these protected areas, help them to identify interventions to empower tribals through S&T and also help them to formulate projects. Groups from a number of areas in Himachal, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh are being involved in the programme.

A programme on medicinal plants for health and livelihood security of scheduled tribes has just been concluded in Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. In this programme, health security of the target community was achieved through promotion of sound, effective and local health and household practices and remedies that can contribute to the Primary Health Care (PHC) of the community. The focus of the programme was prioritization of community's PHC needs, documentation of local health traditions and practices for these PHC conditions, rapid assessment of the documented practices using Indian Systems of Medicine namely Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani for selecting best practices for their promotion to meet some of the PHC needs, promotion of use of the sound, effective and local remedies through Home Herbal Gardens established by the households in target area. In this process, training was imparted to the rural women in the use of sound and effective home remedies. A package of 20 ecosystem specific medicinal plants including a few nutritionally important medicinal plants were given to be grown in the backyard for use in the preparation of home remedies. The outcome of this project is shown in the table below:

Several households are successfully managing primary health care conditions using the home herbal garden in the target areas.

Livelihood security of the target communities is achieved through promotion of community owned enterprises in order to help them to undertake cultivation and sustainable collection of medicinal plants as well as value addition and marketing of the raw drugs, semi-processed or finished products in an organized manner. The achievements in this programme are given in the Table below:

A local area coordinated programme on Angora wool production and processing is planned to be initiated in Uttarakhand.

Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan for the Development of Scheduled Caste Population

Specific projects with the application of science and technology for the development of Scheduled Caste population were supported. Promotion and development of innovative technology as well as improvement in existing technology for the benefit of the poor, underdeveloped landless labour of scheduled caste population are the main objectives of the Scheme.

Thirty two projects were sanctioned during the year in the technology areas such as skill improvement and efficiency of traditional occupations; capacity building; waste management; animal husbandry, particularly relating to smaller animals; scientific method of mulberry sapling production technology; alternative vocation for income generation; rural engineering and micro enterprise; sustainable utilization of natural resources and value addition, etc.

A few projects which have made visible impact on the well being of the poor scheduled caste population are as under:-

Coordinated Programme on Resource Management and Development for the Empowerment of Scheduled Castes in Hilly Regions of the country:

A Coordinated Programme for Integrated Development of the SC Community through technology transfer in Mountain Ecosystem was implemented in five villages each in three states viz. Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir through S&T intervention. The programme involved technological interventions such as low cost toilet construction, soak pits making, construction of community water harvesting tanks, low cost roof-making, fisheries technology, bakery products making, fruit processing, hydrolyser for biogas, animal husbandry, etc. at Bagath, Dharmchak, District Chhamoli; Gadarpur, Chakarpur, District Pithoragarh and Rajpura in Uttarakhand; Kuthla, Karsog and Majhas villages in Himachal Pradesh; and Tal in Jammu & Kashmir. Solar LED and Water Mills were also introduced wherever possible. Exhaustive training programmes involving women and youth of the SC community were organized. The major features of the project are involvement of community members as active partner in project planning and implementation. The community was motivated to share the knowledge and materials to other deprived villages as 'Shridan', a community initiative for community.

• Under the project, "In-vitro propagation and establishment of Gymnema sylvestre and fertilizer interventions through intensive organic cultivation technique", organic farming practices using locally available natural resources were imparted to the women of the identified SC farmers' families. The project also had created a channel to market G. Sylvestre through centralized procurement by purchase facilitation through a tie - up between growers and the medicinal plant export firms. Under the project, 40 beneficiaries have been identified, out of which 30 farmers were selected for intensive organic cultivation of G. Sylvestre plant in Panruti village.
• A project on wool spinning sanctioned for the beneficiaries of District Kangra in Himachal Pradesh resulted in installing a Wool Carding Plant at Baijnath and also developing a motorized Mini Wool Spinning Charkha costing about Rs.900. Women were trained for carding their wool on the carding plant and also for spinning of wool on motorized Charkhas (Figure 8.8). The motorized Charkhas are capable of spinning 1 Kg of wool per day. As a result of successful implementation of this scheme, the income level of the workers has improved significantly.

• In another project titled, "Solid Waste Management through Science and Technology" being implemented in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, the beneficiaries of the SC community were trained in collecting garbage, recycle them and market the bio-manures. Self Help Groups of such trained rural women are also being engaged in the Farm Yard and the Vermi-compost making units. Bio-fertilizer and vermi-compost are being prepared by these women's groups in polythene bags for sale to farming community in the district. The conversion of municipal solid waste has helped in creating clean environment. Under this project, 83 SC Women and 44 men sanitary workers were directly benefited.
  

  Some of the successfully completed projects are:

• Agro-technology for improving the land use capacity, in a sustainable manner, of the rain-fed waterlogged rice land owned by SC and ST farmers of Sunderban, West Bengal.
• Skill development training in plastics product conversion and finishing techniques, hand pump mechanic, motor rewinding, refrigeration and air conditioning, plumbing, carpentry, house electrician, PC software and scooter mechanic.
• Developing and field testing cycle rickshaw with low-cost oil hydraulic disc brakes for passengers, garbage collection and school transport.
  
  

National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development

National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) aims to foster technology based and knowledge driven entrepreneurship among S&T persons through its programmes and activities. The projects implemented by the Board aim at creation of techno-entrepreneurs among the S&T persons through structured training programmes and other facilitating mechanisms. The purpose is to create additional employment through technology based entrepreneurship and application of S&T tools and methods.

During the year under report, NSTEDB continued to pursue and strengthen its existing activities/programmes, in addition to conceptualizing and initiating a few new projects.

Technology Business Incubators (TBIs)

The main objective of TBI is to catalyze development and growth of technology led enterprises and creating value added jobs and services besides developing new tools of technology transfer for fostering entrepreneurial sprit in the academic and R&D institutions. TBIs also facilitate speedy commercialization of R&D outputs and provide assistance to tenant companies and existing SMEs by way of specialized services.

Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks (STEPs)

Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks (STEPs) were established to provide a re-orientation in the approach to innovation and entrepreneurship involving education, training, research, finance and management. A STEP creates the necessary climate for innovation, information exchange, sharing of experience and facilities and opening new avenues for students, teachers, researchers and industrial managers to grow in a trans-disciplinary culture, each understanding and depending on the other’s inputs for starting a successful economic venture. About 45 STEPs/TBIs are in operation in different institutions of national repute.

Following TBIs were accorded approval for establishment in the F.Y. 2007-2008

1. University of Delhi, South Campus – in the area of industrial biotechnology.
2. Techno Park , Trivandrum – in the area of information and communication technologies.
3. National Chemical Laboratory, Pune – in the area of advanced materials including nano materials.
4. Ritnand Balved Education Foundation at Amity University, Noida – in the area of Information and
   Communication Technologies and Bio-Informatics.
5. Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathymangalam – Biotechnology.
6. West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata – Biotechnology (Microbial enzyme isolation and
   purification, biofertilizer, bio film) and Software Engineering.
7. Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad – Medicinal Chemistry.
8. Welding Research Institute, Trichy – in the area of welding systems and fabrication technology.
9. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in the area of IT and Biotechnology
   

Tax Incentives to Incubators and Incubatees

Following the Union Budget 2006-07 announcements on proposed tax incentives to incubatees, NSTEDB interacted with the Ministry of Finance on evolving and working out suitable tax exemption for the incubators and incubatees. In the Union Budget 2007 announcement, Minister of Finance has proposed to exempt from service tax all services provided by technology business incubators recognized by NSTEDB, DST. Similarly, their incubatees whose annual business turnover does not exceed Rs.50 lakhs will be exempt from service tax for the first three years.

EU-DST funded Project on Developing Business Incubator Linkages of STEP/TBI TBI Managers for knowledge sharing and developing Business Incubation Platform by TREC – STEP, Tiruchirapalli was successfully completed.

National Award for Technology Business Incubator

The National Award for Technology Business Incubators for the year 2006 was awarded to Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Park (STEP) at Basaveshwar Engineering College, Bagalkot, Karnataka in recognition of the overall excellence and contribution in fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship by nurturing new enterprises in food processing and textile technology in semi urban and rural area.

Entrepreneurship Development Cells (EDCs)

The Entrepreneurship Development Cells (EDCs) were initiated to develop institutional mechanism to create entrepreneurial culture in S&T academic institutions and to foster techno-entrepreneurship for generation of wealth and employment by S&T persons. The EDC aims at development and introducing curriculum on Entrepreneurship Development in the host institution and other institutes in the vicinity. The EDCs are now operational in 35 institutions across the country. New EDCs have been established at RV College of Engineering, Bangalore and National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai during the year.

Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED) Project

STED Project aims to bring socio-economic development in a region by promoting the entrepreneurial temper and motivating the unemployed youth for establishing micro enterprise based on innovative skills and technology. The STED Project is currently operational in 43 districts across the country. During the year 2007-08 through STED projects, about 2600 micro enterprises were promoted resulting in creation of employment to approximately 7000 persons. Thirteen new projects are being established in Dausa (Rajasthan),Jhajjar (Haryana), Enrakulam (Kerala), Jhajgir Champa (Madhya Pradesh), Dang (Gujarat), Budgaon (J&K), Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh), Muktsar (Punjab), Rangpoo-Sington (Sikkim), Cooch Behar (West Bengal), Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Sirmour (Himachal Pradesh) etc.

Faculty Development Programme (FDP)

In order to meet the growing need of trainers in S&T Entrepreneurship Development, the Faculty Development Programme (FDP) has been designed to train and develop professionals in entrepreneurship development so that they can further guide and motivate young S&T persons to take up entrepreneurship as a career. The programme has duration of 2-3 weeks and the inputs include process and practice of entrepreneurship development, personal and interpersonal skills, creativity, problem solving, achievement motivation training, etc. The professionals trained under FDPs are teachers of science/engineering colleges and polytechnics, and faculty from entrepreneurship development organizations.

During the year 2007-08, about 50 Faculty Development Programmes covering the entire country were sanctioned. Through these programmes, about 1000 faculty and resource persons were trained in the nuances of Techno-entrepreneurship Development.

Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp (EAC)

Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp (EAC) is conducted in the premises of an academic institution to create awareness amongst students of the college about various facets of entrepreneurship and the merits of pursuing it as a career option. These camps are organized by educational institutions or professional bodies specialising in entrepreneurship development. It also provides an opportunity to the students to interact with various experts in industry and banking. During the year, over 350 EACs have been organized, thereby exposing about 26,000 students to the concept of entrepreneurship.

Technology Based Entrepreneurship Development Programme (TEDP)

The Technology Based Entrepreneurship Development Programme (TEDP) focuses on training in specific products/technologies/processes, which have commercial viability and which have been developed by R&D labs or other academic institutions. Besides the hands on training, the potential entrepreneurs are given entrepreneurial, motivational and managerial inputs. This programme provides state-of-the-art inputs to the entrepreneurs about the technology to be employed and they can also develop their skills in application of the technology.

During 2007-08, about 70 TEDPs were organised with the support from NSTEDB. Some of the technology areas chosen for transfer to the potential entrepreneurs include Bio-fertilisers, solar energy, herbal medicines, computer hardware and networking technology, PCB design and manufacturing, fashion technology, plastics products, biotechnology, food processing, footwear design and development etc.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP)

The Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) is a training programme in which those persons who possess certain identifiable qualities of entrepreneurship are counseled, motivated and trained to strengthen their self confidence, seize a business opportunity, initiate an enterprise and be the masters of their own i.e. to become ‘entrepreneurs’. During 2007-08, about 55 EDPs were organised with the support of NSTEDB.

Skill development Training through Science and Technology (STST)

Skill Development Training through S&T (STST) scheme aims at demonstrating the effectiveness of short term market oriented technical skill training in empowering unemployed youth to earn a sustainable livelihood. The programme is implemented through a network of institutions comprising of educational or research institutions and professional bodies. More than 11000 persons are expected to be trained during the current financial year.

Project Monitoring System (PROMOSYS)

To monitor the programmes of NSTEDB which are geographically dispersed, a web based project monitoring system was envisaged. The system called PROMOSYS (available at www.nstedbprojectm.in)has been developed and is being used for past four months.

PROMOSYS has enabled the Secretariat to collect the data in a useful format and on a regular basis. Itallows each Project Director to log on to the site and update the database regarding his project in a pre-setformat. Report can be generated in a flexible way as and when the need arises.

Science Tech Entrepreneur: A Monthly Publication of NSTEDB

The Science Tech Entrepreneur Magazine is brought out to disseminate information on various aspectsof entrepreneurship, technology finance and management to budding as well as established entrepreneurs.

The magazine has been published since October, 1995. Currently, the magazine is being offered in theelectronic format. This e-format is being made available on the webportal TIME IS at www.techno-preneur.net.

Technology Innovation and Management Entrepreneurship Information Service (TIME IS) - a Web Portal:

TIME IS aims at creating a knowledge base for budding entrepreneurs which will help them to retrieveinformation and guidance for setting up units from a single source. Since the internet based database and website services are time and distance independent, potential entrepreneurs would find it extremely convenientto use. The methodology of reaching out to vast numbers of potential entrepreneurs has become very popular. The site registers over a lakh of hits per month.

The third phase of the project has been approved. Site enrichment through on-line support by a panel ofconsultants and host of other features have been incorporated. On-line chatting and on-line consultancy is being introduced. A B2B meeting, bringing the entrepreneurs face to face with prospective client has been planned during the year.

GOI-UNDP Project – Skills and Knowledge for Improved Livelihoods and Living Standards (SKILLS)

National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) is executing SKILLS project supported by UNDP. One of the key objective under the SKILLS project was to try out a very bold initiative under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode for imparting skills.

Ten SKILLS Academies have been established under this project in PPP mode. Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Park, National Institute of Technology, Trichy has established Skill Academies at Chennai (3 academies) and Bangalore (1 academy) in the area of Modern Appliances Maintenance. Agnel Technical Education Complex, Goa has established skills academies one each at Mapusa (North Goa) and Karwar (Karnataka) in the skill area of Food Production and Bakery. Vivekananda Institute of Biotechnology, Nimpith has established Vivekananda Center for SKILLS (VCS) at four locations in West Bengal (Patharpratima, Dt South 24 Parganas, Jiagunj – Muslimabad, Aamdanga, Dt. North 24 Parganas and Raina II block, Dt. Burdwan.)for providing training to the farmers at the grass root level to upgrade and develop their skills and knowledge so that their productivity is increased.

Another important deliverable under the SKILLS project was to use the World Wide Web through a portal to provide a repository of information that can be accessed by all the stake holders of a vocational training eco-system. The web portal www.skillindia.com was jointly launched by Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Kumari Selja, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation on 18th October 2007. The main features ofthe portal are:

• Providing information related to particular trades/vocations – competency based curriculum, course
  material, demonstrations, slide shows etc. for ready use in training.
• Facilitating employment through a EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE – a facility that has high success in
  the high end job sector and is a rapidly recognizable need today for the vocational sector.
• Encouraging the participation of subject experts to ensure that the latest knowledge is available in the
  portal and also offer valuable consultations to both trainees and training institutions.
• Profiling training institutions to enable the reach of good quality institutions and to also support the
  decision making process of a prospective trainee.
• Peripheral areas with information pertaining to soft skills, self-employment, training news etc. are also
  available.
  

A national dissemination workshop was organised on 17-18 December 2007 to disseminate the methodology and share the material developed under SKILLS project.