RuTAG Initiative

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About RuTAG Initiative:

Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) is an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India launched in 2004.
It was conceptualized as a mechanism to provide a higher level of Science &Technology intervention and support for rural areas.
Under this initiative, the interventions are designed to be primarily demand-driven, focusing on bridging technology gaps at the grassroots level, upgrading technology, and providing training and demonstrations through innovative projects.
Objectives
- To connect with possible stakeholders like NGOs (Non-Government Organizations), SHGs, (Self Help Groups), COs (Community Organizations) Start-ups, Technology Incubators, and Fabricators to identify sector-specific technology needs.
- To develop demand-driven technologies based on socio-economic data coherent with national/regional priorities, national policies/ schemes etc.
- To validate developed prototypes supported with impact studies and explore their commercialization with scalability aspects.
- To commercialize the potentially validated technologies for national/global markets.
The Office of the PSA launched RuTAG 2.0 in April 2023, with a focus on commercialization 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.

Q: What is a Self-Help Group?

These are small, informal, and voluntary associations of individuals, usually from similar socio-economic backgrounds, who come together to address common social and economic needs. SHGs are primarily focused on empowering their members, particularly women, through mutual support, collective decision-making, and skill development.

News:First Annual Review Meeting of RuTAG 2.0 Projects Held at SKUAST, Srinagar