Srinagar, Dec 05: Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India and Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, chaired a high-level review meeting of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0 at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shalimar campus, on Thursday.
The two-day Annual Review Meeting of RuTAG 2.0 was organized by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India and SKUAST-K’s Division of Food Science and Technology. The event aimed to assess the progress of projects carried out by IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, IIT Delhi, ICAR NAARM, and SKUAST-K. SKUAST-K is the only university in the country, besides IITs and NARM, with the distinction of having a RuTAG project.
RuTAG 2.0 is a national initiative designed to address technology gaps in rural areas through innovative, affordable, and scalable solutions. By leveraging the expertise of premier academic and research institutions, RuTAG aims to improve the quality of life in rural India while promoting sustainability and inclusivity.
The inaugural function was attended by Dr. Parvinder Miani, Scientific Secretary to the Government of India; Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K; Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Government of J&K; staff and scientists from the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor; principal investigators of RuTAG 2.0 projects from IITs and NAARM; officers from SKUAST-K; directors of various development departments of the J&K Government; and industry representatives from Kashmir. Prof. Haroon R. Naik, Director of Research at SKUAST-K, delivered the welcome address.
In his address, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood highlighted the critical role of RuTAG in bridging the technological divide in rural India. He emphasized that technologies providing solutions to rural problems should not be seen as inferior in quality. “The time for ‘Jugaad’ is over,” he said. “These technologies developed under RuTAG 2.0 must adhere to all quality standards and must be internationally competitive and sustainable. They should not only solve Indian problems but global ones, while also being affordable.”
Prof. Sood also stressed the importance of empowering rural youth by providing grassroots innovations that enable them to stay in rural areas for their livelihoods. “RuTAG 2.0 must empower rural youth so that they don’t have to move to cities for livelihood,” he stated.
Praising SKUAST-K for its innovations, Prof. Sood remarked, “The nation has much to learn from the way SKUAST-K is fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering youth.” He also noted that it was the first time the Office of PSA had chosen to host the annual RuTAG meeting outside of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, highlighting SKUAST-K’s technology prowess and its significant contribution to the region.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, provided an insightful overview of the university’s achievements and its vision for advancing rural technologies. He emphasized the importance of adapting and innovating technologies to meet the unique needs of rural communities. He further highlighted how RuTAG plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern scientific advancements. “The spirit of teamwork is essential,” he said, praising the synergy between academic institutions, research organizations, and community partners in addressing rural challenges. He called for greater interdisciplinary collaborations to achieve impactful outcomes.
Dr. Parvinder Miani, Scientific Secretary in the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, spoke about the role of RuTAG as a flagship project of the PSA office. “RuTAG was conceptualized to advance the rural community through small, scalable interventions and frugal innovations by grassroots innovators in an inclusive way,” she said. “Mandates have been given to seven premier institutions, including SKUAST-K, to innovate and scale technologies that help enhance the livelihoods of rural communities.”
During the event, the RuTAG 2.0 logo was unveiled, and a book titled Technologies Developed by SKUAST-K’s Division of Food Technologies was released, along with a success story.
