INTRODUCTION

Department of Atomic Energy has launched DAE-Societal Initiative for utilization of Non-Power Applications (NPAs) and Spin-off technologies in the area of water, agriculture, food processing and agri-land improvement through urban and rural waste management.  Within this frame work, the structured program called “AKRUTI-KRUTIK-FORCE” has been formulated by BARC, Trombay, Mumbai.  It is implemented through technically oriented NGOs for techno-economic growth of the rural sector, as one of the many schemes of large scale deployment of BARC technologies - 4th Key Driver of Major programmes of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Since the initiation of this programme, it is popularly known as AKRUTI programme. AKRUTI is an acronym for Advanced Knowledge and RUral Technology Implementation initiative.  Under this programme, several AKRUTI nodes are set up and operational since 2006 and more are being set up in self-financed mode by NGOs in different states.  AKRUTI nodes through NGOs are demonstrating the usefulness of BARC technologies for rural sector leading to societal benefit. Further, it has demonstrated that technically oriented HR in rural sector is capable to deploy technologies for their use under the guidance of BARC scientists and engineers.  This programme has potential to encourage village techno-preneurship based on BARC technologies.

AKRUTI Tech Pack is made of optional eight (8) technologies and two consultancy services as given below:

To enable and encourage techno- entrepreneurship in the villages, all those who desire to start activity in villages can avail these technologies at an affordable cost.  To quick start the activity, some of the products can be purchased by them either from operational AKRUTIs or from industries as they find suitable and deploy them in the region.  Based on the experience gained, they can spread the activities in surrounding villages by deploying them in rural sector through local techno-preneurship with the technical know-how and support provided  under this programme for deployment.

Under DAE-Societal Initiative, to encourage potential techno-preneurs in rural sector and to promote large scale deployment of BARC technologies, these technologies are provided for deployment in the rural area with concessional License Fee to locals from rural areas and also urban entrepreneurs to start this activity in rural sector at an affordable price. All the technologies mentioned above are offered under AKRUTI Tech Pack.  Applicant is free to choose any one or combination of technologies for deployment in the rural sector as per need of the region and his financial capacity.      

On successfully deploying the taken technologies in the rural sector, the ATP holder can request for following free consultancy suitable to his region on trial basis.

Radiation technology can be effectively used in preserving agriculture produce, improving food safety and enhancing international trade by overcoming trade barriers caused by the presence of quarantine insect pests and microbes in agricultural commodities.  Major technological benefits that can be achieved are disinfestations of insect pests, inhibition of sprouting, delay in ripening and destruction of microbes creating food spoilage.  This leads to increase of storage life, hygiene and safety.It is desired to increase the awareness of these benefits in urban as well as rural sector.

In order to promote this awareness in rural sector, radiation processing consultancy service will be provided to the holders of AKRUTI Tech Pack for carrying free trial sample irradiations of products available in their regions on separate request.