Govt launches RSVC-AMRIT platform

• The government launched the RuTAGe Smart Village Centres (RSVC)-AMRIT platform on August 15, marking a significant step towards strengthening technology-led rural development. 

• It is developed by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government of India.

Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG)

• Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the government of India conceptualised a mission called Rural Technology Group (RuTAG) with an aim to provide a higher level of science and technology intervention and support for development and dissemination of appropriate technologies for rural areas in 2003-04. 

• RuTAG is centered in seven IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee).

Objectives of RuTAG:

i) To identify the technology needs for rural areas, available technology solutions and problems encountered in adopting the existing technology at grassroots-level.

ii) Find technology solutions through government agencies, S&T institutions, S&T NGOs, academic institutes, corporate sectors and other voluntary agencies.

iii) Disseminate refined technology to rural areas.

• Its extensive outreach to NGOs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), community organisations, etc has facilitated the effective penetration of innovative solutions into rural communities, resulting in substantial benefits.

• The Office of the PSA launched RuTAG 2.0 in April 2023, with a focus on commercialisation and broader dissemination of developed technologies as products, ensuring wider accessibility and socio-economic impact. 

• The RuTAG 2.0 initiative will emphasize translating innovation into market-ready products reflecting its commitment to driving transformative changes in rural areas and empowering communities for sustainable development.

• These technologies cover a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, textiles, energy, livelihood, post-harvest and food processing, water conservation, animal husbandry, aquaculture, dairy, environmental conservation, healthcare, and more.

What is RSVC-AMRIT?

• RSVC-AMRIT serves as the digital backbone of the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) ecosystem, supporting rural innovation and technology transfer and enabling wider adoption of appropriate technologies in rural areas.

• It is designed as a comprehensive digital ecosystem supporting the complete RSVC lifecycle, from technology discovery and validation to deployment tracking, collaboration, monitoring and knowledge management. 

• India has a rich ecosystem of scientific institutions, innovators, startups and technology providers, connecting appropriate technologies with rural needs remains a challenge. 

• RSVC-AMRIT seeks to bridge this gap by connecting rural needs with innovations, institutions and implementation mechanisms, strengthening technology dissemination and adoption at the grassroots level.

• The RSVC initiative facilitates the transfer of appropriate and affordable technologies from research institutions, innovators and startups to rural communities through village-level technology hubs, covering areas such as agriculture, rural enterprises, renewable energy, education, assistive technologies, water and sanitation, and citizen services. 

• AMRIT builds on this physical outreach by adding a digital layer to the ecosystem, with NABARD expecting it to evolve into a national repository of rural innovations, technologies, best practices and collaboration opportunities, supporting wider technology adoption.