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

Agriculture information

AgricultureInformation.com is an online community comprising of buyers, sellers and technical experts in agriculture.
Free membership is also availble.

power to the pedal winners

Design 21: Social Design Network announced the top three winners of the Power to the Pedal online design competition this week from 222 entries worldwide. Most popular is the music making bike by Joseph Kim and Jinwook Hwang from Seoul, South Korea.

Prakruti power pedal station

The Energy Conservation Mission Hydeabad was trying to develop a Sustainable Pedal/Solar Model for Rural Lighting, integrating the current day needs of Mobile charging, PDA Maybe a Lap Top, a Fan and Colur TV

The product is now ready. Price-about Rs5,000/-

Interested paries may contcat
C V Rao
Convenor
Energy Conservation Mission
Hyderabad
99490 11955
98480 11955

Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana

An opportunity for students planning to become researchers. Apply for KVPY grants. You can get monthly stipend upto PhD level.Students who represent India in the International Olympiads Physics/Chemistry/Biology /Mathematics/Informatics and Astronomy in 2008 will automatically qualify for KVPY Fellowship provided they complete X/XII Standard Board Examination by 2008 and continue studying in science subjects.

TePP will also encourage such student researchers.

Detailse see;http://www.iisc.ernet.in/kvpy/

Solar Home Energy pack

Mr. Syed Zahed, an entrepreneur in Renewable Energy Technologies, secretary, I.C.W.A (NGO) created a package with the combination of MAGH-I woodgas stove designed by GEO, solar lamps and torch lights with rechargeable batteries and a solar panel called “Solar Home Energy (SHE)” pack. see details at :http://icwapartnergeo.blogspot.com/

Good stove

Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Founder and CEO of Geoecology Energy Organisation (GEO) developed a series of low cost, efficient stoves for people using biomass as fuel. See details at :http://www.goodstove.com/

workshop at PSG STEP

TePP Workshop at TUC, PSG-STEP, Coimbatore was organised on 28th March 2008. View of participants can be seen in the picture.

Innovative machine to make surgical bandage

It is payback time to DRDO scientist RA Yadav, who was determined to use his vast knowledge of machines to improve obsolete designs of small sector. Initially he took on the challenge of improving surgical bandage machine with telling affect. The new machine , facilitated under TePP, is now a reality. Take a look at http://www.raymachines.in/index.html

TePP meeting at Technopark

The first time, TePP officials from DSIR & TIFAC, TePP Screening Committee members and TePP outreach center partners had all met together for a two day event. The meetings were held at Technopark, Trivendrum on 5th and 6th February 2008.There was sharing of learning and re dedication to share the dreams of independent innovators of India.

Wind Turbines on roof top

Marquiss Wind Power, based in Folsom, CA, manufactures a unique and patented Ducted Wind Turbine (U. S. Patent Number 7256512) for use in the commercial and industrial building Designed for optimal performance on rooftops.

Another unique design is that of Indian Innovator SasiNarayan, who developed a patented winged vertical axis wind mill.

Composting Toilet kit

Green trust developed a complete composting Kitchen and Toilet system for anyone wanting to reduce their water requirements, eliminate sewage, and build soil quality for gardening. Consists of a manual on worm composting, a collection device (toilet), cover & bedding material (coconut fiber), a worm bin and worms.
Build your own from the descriptions and parts list, or drop us a line at sspence@green-trust.org