Centre for Excellence in Rural Development
The importance of involving voluntary organisations in the socio-economic
development of rural people has been accepted at all levels. The greatest
advantage is that it ensures people's participation at various stage
of planning, project formulations and implementation of programmes.
There has however, been a major problem ensuring continuous flow of
funds for the effective functioning of such organisations. Mostly, these
groups survive from project to project, as a result of which they are
unable to retain top class scientific and engineering talent.
It has been felt that time is now ripe for documenting the experience,
approach to development programmes and in general the feelings of these
groups so that their philosophies, achievements and difficulties are
known to a very wide cross section of people.
Towards such an initiative, the Department of Science and Technology
has recognised prominent institutions working in the area of rural development
as Centres for Excellence in Rural Development. Gandhigram is one of
the major centres in TamilNadu. The Artisans Guild is Gandhigram's initiative
as part of this scheme.
Artisans Guild
Gandhigram Trust has been involved in revamping the organisational structure
for village artisans. A new organisation called 'Artisans Guild' with
a well-conceived constitution has been introduced. The constitution
provides for the enrolment of all functioning artisans in a block as
members. Each artisan in a major trade has the right to select his representative
to be a member of the Executive Committee of the Artisan Guild. The
elected members elect the President of the Guild. The constitution provides
for a nominated member from the District Rural Development Agency and
the lead bank to the Executive Committee. An experienced worker from
the voluntary group is designated as the secretary of the group. This
arrangement not only brings together all the traditional artisans into
one fraternity but also involves them in the decision making process
itself. It also helps in diversification and in introduction of improved
skills as also in marketing.
The production activities under Gandhigram Trust and its sister institutions
work out to over Rs 2 crores every year. Over 3000 persons of whom a
major portion is women have been provided with continuous work and wages.
The activities extend to 63 villages. Wedded to the philosophy of intermediate
technology Gandhigram Trust with the support of DST and other organisations
is attempting to continuously bring in improvements which will reduce
drudgery and be within the comprehension of the village craftsmen. The
following criteria have been spelt out for deciding the technological
advancement:
-
Technology should intervene to reduce and if possible
eliminate drudgery.
-
Technology should be within the comprehension
of the beneficiaries and suited to the rural situations existing in
different parts of the country.
-
Technology should be such that would enable users
to earn a living wage, interpreted as that comparable to the ruling
agricultural wage in a particular area.
-
Technology should improve skill productivity and
quality.
-
Technology should be within a low per capita investment,
say, of Rs. 15,000/- or so.
-
Technology should use more and more of renewable
sources of energy and less of depleting sources.
-
Technology should result in increased production
and consequently additional employment though it may in the incidence,
appear to throw away people away from their present occupation.
-
Technology in the final annotation, should mean
utilisation of newer range of materials available in the countryside
and production of essential goods of need, opening fresh avenues of
employment for the large masses of unskilled labour.
-
Technology does not begin and end with the improvement
of tools, instruments, machines etc., but will also embrace techniques
and diversification of production.
-
Technology is a continuous process of experimentation
and hence will not remain static at any time.
-
Technology should retain the artisan in the village
itself and should not be an instrument to motivate migration to urban
areas.
The problem now is not in
identification of the difficulties faced by artisans using traditional
technology but the absence of a satisfactory expert team that can accept
this challenge and provide answers.
Resource Centre for Rural Technology (RCRT)
Background | Objectives
| Current Components |
Activities | Research
& Development
BACKGROUND - Dissemination of Rural Technologies for
sustainable benefits of socio-economically deprived sections of the rural
society is one of the thrust areas of GGM. In order to realise this developmental
need, the spread of proven and sustainable technology packages which create
employment, raise income and reduce poverty need to be put in place. The
Technology Resource Centre (TRC) was established to aid this. The prime
emphasis and expectation from TRC was to act as partners of CAPART in
reaching out to the disadvantaged sections of rural society through orienting
them to technological introduction / upgradation. Through this process,
the rural youth should get to a position to respond to a larger need.
The TRC is not viewed as a 'Centre for Excellence' alienated and distant
from the people but as active instruments of change, equipped to innovate
and create, capable of initiating and sustaining S&T based programmes
of sweeping dimensions with demonstrable and lasting effects.
OBJECTIVES - The overall objectives of RCRT are:
- Upgradation of local skills
- Transfer and dissemination of rural technologies
- Upgradation and improvisation of existing technologies
- Introducing viable technologies and expanding rural product profiles
The process involves introduction of technology, upgradation of technology,
introduction of useful products, upgrading artisan-al skills, inculcating
entrepreneurship and employment generation.
The TRC model expects a TRC to be both an institution as well as a process.
It expects inventiveness, mediation and creation of innovative spaces
in the local socio-economic milieu.
COMPONENTS of RCRT currently:
1. Brass Vessel Making
2. Pottery
3. Rural Workshop
4. Neem Oil Extraction
5. Medicinal Plants Nursery
6. Documentation
7. Construction of a Training Hostel
ACTIVITIES
- Common Facility Centre has been established in Nilakkotai and is in
use for discussions and interaction among project partners.
- Machines: Neck bending machine, different dye-making machines, hydraulic
press have all been erected.
- The decorative clay wares from Vedapatty (Training Centre village) were
exhibited in the Gramshree Mela, organised by the CAPART at Chennai.
- Ten Trainees from among the potters families of Vedapatty village have
been given instruction in various aspects of pottery such as clay preparation,
toy making, decoration of clay ware, engraving work on plaster of Paris
moulds etc.
- Improved and efficient kilns for baking of articles have been introduced.
- Rural Workshops: The trainees have undergone hands-on work experience
through their assignments of acquiring work orders from the area they
come to, for training. This enables them to understand the rural market
demand and adapt their skills / technology to meet the societal needs.
- Neem and other Non-edible Oil extraction, clarification and storage
training course is being offered. The first batch has completed the course.
Neem kernel oil for pharmacy use and other neem based products are being
promoted through Gandhigram showrooms and SHGs.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT in Non-Edible Oils
- Application of Aloe vera extract in soaps and cosmetic was experimented
with successfully. Experiments are on for application in cosmetics.
- Field Study is on in the development of vermi-compost quoted neem cake
(as a by-product development venture).
- A fibre extraction machine to extract fibre from banana and sissal has
been designed.
- Study on development of Washing Powder for natural dyed fabrics has
been successfully completed and come for industrial use. Plans are on
for commercial venture.
- An experiment on development of Ayurvedic fairness cream is to be commenced
soon.
- An experiment on converting Thailam (Oil) to gel as a body cream is
to be taken up.
RuTAG (Rural Technology Action Group)
Rural Technology action group (RuTAG) is a new initiative by the office
of the Principal Scientific Advisor of Government of India that aims to
build interaction between development agencies and premium technology
institutions for jointly developing technologies for rural development.
Gandhigram Trust is currently interacting with IIT-M, Chennai and Anna
University towards re-designing of machinery for village industries.
CAPART Resource Centre
CAPART has also identified Gandhigram as a resouce centre to guide other
agencies involved in rural development through village industries and
utilising technology interventions.
Rural Technology Case Study
Introduction | Outcome
| Conclusion
INTRODUCTION - Pottery is a traditional occupation
of a particular community in TamilNadu. Till a couple of decades back
when mud vessels were commonly in use, the potters had good business.
As time passed by, introduction of elegant and durable vessels made of
aluminium, brass, and Stainless Steel started taking over. The vessels
made of mud or clay have almost got sidelined. The potters, to sustain
their means of livelihood, the only product diversification they knew
of was making mud horses, elephants and idols for Hindu temples in villages.
But there was no continuous demand to provide them with remunerative employment.
Potters community faced a situation where they had to look for some alternative
means of earning their livelihoods or migrate. Gandhigram with its experience
of 'terracotta technology' decided to lend a helping hand to pottery.
Thus, when TRC Project was conceived for Gandhigram Trust, decorative
pottery (using terracotta technology) was incorporated as one of the components.
OUTCOME -
Skill upgradation - The potters underwent one-year training in Terracotta
Technology.
Technology upgradation - The requirement of machineries to do the job
better with ease was analysed. The skill plus the introduction of the
minimum machineries required gave them new confidence to take the decorative
pottery work with renewed enthusiasm.
Product Range Expansion - Skill upgradation and the introduction of technology
gave them the impetus to expand the range of products. From producing
mud horses and idols for temples they have moved on to produce a wide
range of products including articles on display in Star Hotels.
Economy of Production - Loss due to damage has reduced considerably because
the sturdiness of the articles has increased after the introduction of
technology. The person hours spent in each of the processes has reduced
significantly. These factors have increased the productivity and volume
- produced every day.
New Technology - The new Ball-mill technology enables grinding of the
clay to fine dough. The improved baking kiln helps uniform baking. Introduction
of this technology has enabled the potters to produce any number of articles
of the same size, various designs and dependable quality. The appearance
and the sturdiness are better when moulds are used.
The main drudgery in decorative pottery work lies in preparing the clay.
Introduction of new technology like the ball-mill and Shila potters wheel
has reduced this drudgery and at the same time has given a sense of confidence
that they could produce more in less time.
Price of Articles - When the potters were making Pongal pots or Diyas
(lamps), mud toys and idols, the payments from temples were extremely
delayed, after the potters had almost mentally written off the money.
Moreover, the price of the articles was often negotiated and bargained.
Whereas the demand for terracotta articles is so much in the market that
buyers often send the Demand Draft along with the order. With these products,
potters are now able to dictate the price and get an honest price for
their goods.
Market Responsiveness - Market for the traditional pottery was almost
static; there was no demand for these products. Vessels of other makes
had taken over the market. This was a serious threat to
- the traditional skill
- the lives of several families for whom pottery was the means of livelihood
Skill upgradation as well as technological improvisation in traditional
pottery has been developed in tune with the demand of the market. Market
responsiveness has come about in them. They supply what is demanded in
the market.
Income Levels - The situation today is such that taking up mud pottery
as the only means of livelihood can give only a hand to mouth living.
Introduction of Terracotta Technology has enabled each potter to earn
Rs. 900/- to Rs. 1500/- a month based on one's capacity to produce. But
for the introduction of this technology at the right time, many potters
would have migrated to urban areas looking for alternative wage employment.
CONCLUSION - By introducing a new technology through
TRC, Gandhigram has been able to prevent these traditional potters from
migrating to the cities in search of an uncertain future. The training
has made the potters to learn that they need to be alert to the demands
of the market conditions and to be responsive to the market forces. While
introducing a technology, 2 major factors have to be taken into consideration
- the appropriateness of the technology to
- the prospective beneficiary community and
- respond to the demands of the market.
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