Innovated water-lifting device by a farmer
N. Sakthimaindan, a farmer, who innovated the water-lifting device, is seen in the picture putting it to use in his farm.If you are a person involved in farming with innovative ideas waiting to take shape or innovations to be developed into prototypes, here is the opportunity.The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has a scheme called “Rural Innovation Identification and Supporting Innovators Network Programme” through which it identifies innovations and helps the rural innovators for prototype development of the same.The Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology of the university implements the scheme.The Lemelson Recognition and Mentoring Programme (L-RAMP), which is a joint initiative of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM), and Rural Innovations Network, Chennai, is under implementation at the TNAU. Funded by the Lemelson Foundation, in the U.S., the programme seeks to identify and nurture grass root innovators and innovations that would help people enhance their capacity in improving and sustaining their living conditions.Under the initiative, the TNAU has so far screened five innovations for prototype development. P. Kumar, a farmer from Dharmapuri has been screened for his mini-weeder, N. Sakthimaindan from Thiruvarur for his water-lifting device, S. Raju from Namakkal for his pocket manuring stick and Mohana Sundaram from Madurai for his electronic rattrap. A scientist from CLRI, Chennai, has also been screened for his novel sprinkler.
According to R. Ganesan, Principal Investigator of L-RAMP, the focus is on innovations relating to agriculture, water, energy and animal husbandry. The innovations are sent to IITM for technical refinement and guidance, prototype development and market linkages.“The scheme also aims to provide support to potential innovators to conceptualise ideas, translate them into technical designs, develop and build prototypes, test such prototypes, prepare business plans and establish viable enterprises producing innovative products,” adds Dr. Ganesan.For students
Not only this, the scheme also encompasses student innovators. Under the initiative titled “My Idea Programme (MIP)”, students are encouraged to come forward with their innovations for further mentoring and incubation process. They are also given a purse of Rs. 3,000, Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 1,000 respectively to encourage their contributions.
Students too have come up with innovations such as design of solar collectors, making of banana powder, and extraction of pepper oil by cryogenic grinding, says Dr. Ganesan.To tap the flair for innovations amongst farm students, the MIP will be held in all constituent institutions of the TNAU.Listing the future plans, Dr. Ganesan says that in order to popularise the scheme they will organise “Farm Leaders Awareness Programmes” at select locales of research stations of the TNAU and Krish Vigyan Kendras, spread throughout the State.An “Innovation Identification Workshop” is also in the pipeline to involve the development departments and non-governmental organizations to elicit innovative ideas from their clientele like farmers, farm women, entrepreneurs, input dealers, self-help groups, etc.
The benefited innovators are a happy lot, with not only their innovation coming to light, but also being supported by premier institutions to be developed into prototypes. They believe that the scheme will make visible the local talent that remains hidden due to many factors.Aspiring innovators may contact Dr. Ganesan, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, TNAU, Coimbatore – 641003; or call 94425-16822.Other institutions implementing the scheme are the Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, PSG Institute of Technology, and Gandhigram Rural University, Gandhigram.
