award for Navaraj Yadav

The tamilnadu government awarded the Best scholor award to Dr.P.S.Navaraj, Reader in Zoology , Yadava college, Madurai for his outstanding contribution to teaching and research.He is TePP innovator too.

TePP in Biotech news

Biotech news of August 2008 carried an article on TePP. Download from
http://www.biotechnews.in/

CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) - 2008

Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, DG, CSIR on the occasion of CSIR Foundation day, announced bestowing of CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) - 2008 jointly upon Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow for “Biovillage strategy for agri-business of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants” and Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar for “Innovations in the area of salt for rural development”.

Providing details on the innovations made by both the institutions, Prof. Brahmachari mentioned that shrinking land holdings, decreasing productivity of Indian soils and increasing input costs to agriculture are resulting into diminished returns from conventionally grown crops. The backbone of Indian economy, the traditional agriculture is gradually proving to be uneconomical. There is a felt need thus to improve strategically the agri-economics for rural farmer. This is possible only by augmenting and introducing some economically viable specialty crops along with the traditional agricultural crops. CIMAP has gainfully utilized Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) for this purpose by conceptualizing “Biovillage Mechanism” and operationalizing it strategically. Varieties and agrotechnologies of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) have been developed and disseminated, aiming at sustainable production and commercialization of these plants in rural areas. This has helped in economic upliftment of farmers in a big way.

CIMAP has backed the concept of Biovillages by developing several new cultivars of mint, artemisia, geranium, patchouli and khus suiting to diverse agro-climates. Linkages with industry have also been established for necessary buy back of the produce from farm itself thus benefiting farmers directly. A dependable complete package for managing distillation waste, farm waste, weed waste etc. has also been developed and integrated to generate biofertilizer. CIMAP’s Biovillage Concept has inputs of end-to-end innovation for benefit of rural farmers.

Explaining CSMCRI innovation, Prof. Brahmachari further added that out of the total 20 million tons salt produced in the country annually, about 6 million tons is produced in the rural sector by the marginal salt producers. The salt produced by marginal salt manufacturers is of inferior quality due to the presence of higher amounts of certain ionic impurities and other insolubles. The rural manufacturers also lack scientific knowledge of salt manufacturing. Thus, this type of salt fetches very low price.

CSMCRI has developed various processes for the recovery of high purity salt by rural salt producers addressing the problems faced by the rural salt manufacturers. Processes for removal of impurities through heap washing and desulphatation, utilizing distiller waste liquor of soda ash plants which otherwise poses the problem of disposal and creates environmental pollution have been developed. CSMCRI has specifically seen that no additional time or infrastructure is required to implement the processes developed and significant improvements in salt purity and whiteness are brought about. With CSMCRI’s innovation, even rural salt producers are producing salt of purity >99.5% and whiteness index of 87–91. Rural salt producers of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Orissa have greatly benefited from these efforts. Further, CSMCRI innovations have enabled the rural salt producers to enhance their income by many folds. Being easy to adopt, eco friendly and cost effective, these innovations can be implemented without any risk in any rural salt works irrespective of the source of brine and the type of salt works.

Smokeless Chula

The challenge of improving chula (stove) attracted many designers. Karma Lendup Bhutia is designer from Philips team that came out with `Sampoorna' and `Saral'. A new concept was also born `Philionthrophy by Design'. Indeed, MNCs like Philips can contribute more to society by improving common designs rather than any amount of charity under CSR.

TePP innovator becomes IIPC Champion of Champion

TePP innovator Kranti Kiran Vistakula, promoter of start-up Dhama Apparel Innovations was declared IIPC (India Innovation Pioneers Challenge 2008) Champion of Champion. Also in India Innovation Pioneers Challenge 2008 scholar sparks , TePP innovator Hamsa Nandini bagged 2nd prize where as another TePP innovator Tapendu Mandal received 3rd prize. The prizes were distributed on 18th by Hon.Minister Kapil Sibal.

TePP innovators at IIT Mumbai

Innovator Murugan of Banana Fiber machine sent me this photo taken in IIT, Mumbai. All the 40 participants of TePP Training program stayed in IIT guest house from 2nd to 6th Sept. This was possible courtesy, Prof Amarnath. He also organised lectures by SINE incubatees and faculty.

Laser basics

TePP receives many proposals on Laser applications. DRDO scientists are maintaining a web site , a rich resource in Laser. Visit:
http://www.worldoflasers.com/

Turn ideas into products

A tool for all creative people. Ponoko provides you tools to create designs and sell them too on internet. See: http://www.ponoko.com/

Enviro energy systems

Enviro Energy Systems is a specialist Process & Environmental Consulting organization started 18 years ago by Dr.V.Ravichandran Ph.D.(USA). Dr.V.Ravichandran was associated with Ford Motor Co.USA, Univ. of Notre Dame USA, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras. Has 8 inventions in the area of pollution control and process engineering to his credit.. The main purpose of this organization is design, operations and management of technologically challenging chemical and environmental projects. Automatic Effluent Dispenser system is one of their R&D product. Dr Ravichandran authored `Compost Technology' a practical guide on Compost- yard design,operation and marketing.

Training program at SPJIMR

The 5 day training program from 2nd to 6th Sept was attended by TePP innovators , Network partners and innovation managers, numbering about 40. The senior faculty had prepared their lectures keeping in mind the background of the participtants. The take home for innovators was - taking innovation to market requires a combination of Technology potency and Business advantage.

Biocontrol Strategies for Eco-Friendly Pest Management

Department of Biotechnology in association with the National Informatics Centre has now designed and developed a comprehensive web site on Biocontrol Strategies for Eco-Friendly Pest Management (http://www.dbtbiopesticides.nic.in). The site was inaugurated by the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology on 23^rd June, 2008.

The site provides the information on :

Biocontrol Agents

Botanical and Novel Biopesticides

Research Achievements

Upcoming events

Resource Directory of Scientists, Manufactures, Company List

Ongoing and completed projects so far

Referral Laboratories

Guidelines for Registering Biopesticides

Meetings at BHU

Please follow the link given below for downloding event photographs of 88th TSC meet at IT,BHU, Varanasi:

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/iipcell.bhu/88thTSCMeetAtITBHU/photo#s5238781316930968962

Integrated use of Neem and Sea Algae in eco-freindly management of crop pests

TePP innovator, R.Augustine successfully developed and demonstrated `SEAMIC' which is a combination of Neem kernel extract, Seaweed extract and Potassium Humate. The product was successfully tested on Brinjal, Grape,paddy,groundnut,onion crops.

Training TePP innovators at SPJIMR, Mumbai

TePP, SPJIMR and SINE are organising a 5 day training program to TePP innovators and TUC coordinators from 2nd Sept 2008 to 6th Sept 2008. This is a free service provided by faculty of SPJIMR to TePP. There will also be a trading platform bringing together innovators and family business managers.

TUC coordinators meet on 22nd August 2008

All TePP officials, TePP Screening Committee members and TePP outreach center coordinators meet periodically to share experiences and learning. Next meeting in this series is scheduled on 22nd August at BHU, Varanasi.

Apurv Mishra- young innovator from Orissa

Here is an interesting blog on innovator Apurv Mishra. He is pioneering open innovation movement in his own way and is backed by Intel among others.

Software Institute for Rural Development

Social entrepreneur Bhushan Ambadkar developed software for watershed planning & estimation, which was released by NIRD in Hyderabad. With active support from NABARD, he also developed software for project reports for agribusiness units in Maharashtra . Using this software entrepreneurs can decide on the nature of agri project in their location and submit project reports to banks.
Organisations interested in adopting this software for other states can contact Bhushan: bhushan.ambadkar@sirdpune.com

Brick Making Machine

Grass root innovator J. Meghanathan of Pinayur village in Kancheepauram district developed a brick making machine with support from L-Ramp. Read story in Hindu Business line by Anand Krishnaswamy.

energy from waves

Many innovators show interest in harnessing energy from sea waves. Though the concept is appealing, the engineering challenges are many. See this post on bulge wave anaconda and video.

Areca nut Cleaner Cum Polisher

Peeling of areca nut is one of the labour intensive process. This task is mainly carried out by ladies in the village. Areca nuts are harvested in different methods as well as different ripped conditions of the nut. Green areca nut is harvested after 80 to 90 days of maturity. In one bunch there will be several nuts some are more matured, few are under matured. Usually 10 to 15 % of the harvest will be over matured. Peeling of the over matured is very difficult by hand. Instead of peeling they scrap the outer skin by using sharp knife. This scraped one is usually called as ketta gotu. These scrapped ones are boiled and then dried. After drying these are once again scrapped by using knife and then sorted according to the quality. Market rate for this variety is always 40 to 30 % of the finest variety of the areca nut. Rains during the harvest season will enhance the quantity of the ketta gotu as the processing of the areca nut will be stopped and it will be allowed to over mature and then dried. When these nuts are peeled they will have white coat on the surface and more often outer skin can not be cleaned completely. They need further processing before sending it to the market.
In addition to peeling of the green areca nut peeling of red areca nut also carried out. This task of peeling of red areca nut is very tedious one and complete removal of shell is impossible one. This semi peeled one is further processed in traditional manner and dried. This product is generally called as kettagotu /Gorubulu and goes to the market at nearly ¼ to 1/6th rate of the normal areca nut. This is mainly due to shape and also adherence of the parts of outer shell.
These kettagotu / gorubulu is further processed at market by scrapping individual nut by using knife. This is mainly done by ladies and children. They are paid at Rs. 3.00 per 5 kg and normally one will do about 20 kg in a day.
This problem has been observed by Shylaja Vittala and found that there is need a for mechanization in this part of the process so that value can be added to the areca nut. Developing machine was very difficult one as machine should address following points:
1. Areca nut is delicate one in its dried state and will brakes in to pieces after processed in
mechines.
2. Only outer parts of shell should be removed.
3. weight loss should be minimum
4. Machine applications should be easy so that even it can be handled by the ladies.
Keeping above requirement of the market Dharma Polisher has been developed over a period of three years of R&D. Dharma polisher is addressed all the above requirements and also handling capacities. Product has been test marketed and found good response from the users. The product has been sold in may parts of the chitradurga, shivamoga, arasikere.
For orders contact:
Dharma Technologies, 1st Cross, 60 ft Road, Sapthagiri Extn. (West). Upparahalli main Road, Tumkur, Karnataka- 572 102
: Ph: 0816-2292159, M: +919886737260, E-mail: shylaja_vittala@sify.com