IIT-B takes technology to rural Maharashtra

It has suggested use of IT for developing agriculture and increasing income.......Mihika Basu

Highlighting the use of technological intervention for development in interior Maharashtra, IIT Bombay (IIT-B) has created a master plan for the Rahata block (Ahmednagar district) comprising 58 villages and two towns.

"A number of districts in interior Maharashtra do not have access to facilities like water and electricity, though they may have natural resources that can be exploited. We've created a plan for a bunch of villages. We are calling it a model block," said IIT-B dean of research & development Krithi Ramamritham.

The project is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). "The DST approached us to prepare a detailed project report to develop a model block. We conducted a survey during 2006-07 and have submitted our report whereby we want to take technology to the people. The DST is looking forward to implementing it at Rahata, in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi Commission for Science & Technology and IIT-B," said K Narayanan, professor of Economics at IIT-B and the principal investigator in the project.

Narayanan said depending on the project's success, the DST plans to replicate it in other blocks, each comprising at least 50-60 villages, across the country. He said it was one of the first such efforts to plan for a 'model' block, with a focus on providing technological and institutional support to generate employment and create assets at the grassroot level.

The report says since agriculture is the primary occupation in the block, information technology (IT) should be used for providing climate and weather forecasts, market prices and expert consultation. "The block has institutions like Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Babhaleshwar, which can train farmers in the use of IT," the report said.

A significant recommendation is a change in crop pattern and enhancement of income though high-yield crops.

URL:http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?edorsup=Main&queryed=9&querypage=22&boxid=30770680&parentid=73387&eddate=08/28/2008