The social and economic importance of a country is possible through the support of developing science and technology. In India, science and technology has an exclusive role in rural development. In the context of rural development, science and technology in warded into different field of organic farming, biotechnology, energy, health, sanitation etc. In the recent scenario, the government is giving much attention for the rural development. The government is taking many positive steps in the direction of rural improvement. After a precise enquiry, with the support of science and technology, the government is introducing several innovative schemes and programs for rural improvisation. The empowerment of the rural masses, the input of science and technology in different sectors, which is facilitating better and sustained food productivity, employment opportunity, better waste management, non-conventional energy management, for human welfare, better housing and sanitation, healthcare and education, etc., particularly for the remote areas. The government has major attention to promote the innovation, science and technology, which favors to drive towards higher living standard, more investments are done to provide quality education for youth, continuing skill training for workers, and use them creatively. The effective coordination is necessary for the proper working of R&D effectively, because all these things are directly related with the technological compactability, economic opportunity, society requirements. Here we are going to discuss the role of science and technology to provide sustainable future for rural life and how it is used to facilitate a better quality of living.
Use of Modern Technology in Implementation of Rural Development Schemes
As part of the altogether development of our country, the government is taking several initiatives for the rural development. The recent state which indicates that there is a drastic change in the process of rural development is in a way of progressive model. The role of Ministry of Rural Development has been much noticeable for making this as possible. They could establish several successive program and scheme, which mainly focused on rural development. The scheme such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G), the Mahatma Ghandi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), (NRLM), (NSAP), (SAGY), the Shyam Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission, etc., has been implemented recently. The implementation of these schemes, were done more effectively by restructuring and by the support of science and technology.
The main motto of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was to ensure prominent housing for homeless families, and this was established on 20th November 2016. This scheme was conducted by the support of UNDP, HUDCO, CSDCI, NSDC, National Institute of RDPR and IIT Delhi. Almost 52.26 lakh houses have been constructed in different states. One of the IT-based MIS - AwasSoft, has been used as a part of this scheme. It is an Android based app, which is used for large scale monitoring purpose, electronic fund transfer (FTO), geographic structuring with the help of GIS & GPS. This system of software was established by ISRO. The development of the Rural Housing Knowledge Network (RHKN) was in collaboration with IIT Delhi, which helped to prepare a multilingual web-portal in the public sector, nationwide compilation of information which is related with rural housing plan. All this gives more clarifications during the establishment of rural housing program.
In 2000 December, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has been established with an objective of rural road development, as considered as a ‘minimum needs program'. Almost 94.5% increment has been achieved through this scheme. As part of this scheme, the innovative technology development, anti-disaster mechanism, sustainability, etc., were promoted for the development of rural roads in the nation. The PMGSY rural road project -II with the support of the World Bank, adopted innovative and simplified methods of rural road maintenance. Collection of necessary data for preparation of innovative road models, GIS-based mapping, estimation and monitoring for the maintenance of the road, all of these has been managed by the development of Aarambh. Aarambh is a mobile based application. Another software system was also implemented for the for the entire program monitoring effectively, known as OMMAS it is a web-based online management; monitoring and accounting system, which facilitate the rural road planning, core networking, construction related execution, quality monitoring, e-payment, etc. PMGSY also promotes, the use of non-conventional material and environment friendly green technologies. The National Rural Road Development Agency, verify the progress of the scheme scheduled work and implementation, by the basis of geo informatics and satellite imagery, all these were made possible by the collaboration of NIRDP and ISRO. The people can directly communicate with this scheme through, Meri Sadak application, as a participation with e-governance and digital India.
The established scheme Mahathma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act – MGNREGA, has the motto to ensure the inclusive growth of rural India. The main agenda of this scheme is the strengthening of livelihood base of rural poor, creation of productive assets which can improve the quality and sustainable nature. Through this scheme it could make possible the increased agricultural productivity, ensuring the desirable income of rural household. The exclusive initiative as Geo – MGNERGA, strengthens the scheme, with special attention on permanent assets, natural resources management, water conservation works and livelihood growth for rural developments. The software program SECURE (Software for Estimate Calculation Using Rural Rates for Employment) is implemented, and it helped to estimate the MGNREGA work. Another mobile application Jan - MGNREGA also helps in monitoring and large-scale feedback mechanism for the public. By the implementation of the National Electronic Fund Management System (NEFMS) in 2016, and DBT system in 2014, it gets beneficiary for support to the 37% of e-payment, 12.55 million job cards issued to MGNREGA workers, and 10 crores of the workers could be linked through AADHAR, and 69.5 % workers have AADHAR-based payment system. The use of scientific methods and latest techniques has an important role in the plan of rural development scheme. The effective execution and monitoring become possible only by the support of improved technology, which ensures more accuracy and transparency in the implementation of the rural development scheme.
Advanced Technology on Rural Health Care
The use of digital technology in health services is one of the turning-point which regards remotest village or rural development. This facilitates most of the people who face health issues, especially for women and children. mSakhi is one of the android base applications, which is mainly focused on the health workers, to provide high quality health care. ASHA workers can update and file every health record of peoples who live in remote area. They can also use the app to make awareness with everyone, about health issues. Kilkari app, which is mainly given for the awareness related with pregnancy and delivery issues. Mobile Academy is a free audio training program for Accredited Social Health Activists, for improving their skills, in the field of health care. e-Hospital is an online service portal, people can use these services for managing each and every hospital procedure in any government hospital. ANM On Line, this is used for providing service and to ensure better health care for women and children. Mera Aspataal is another mobile app launched by the support of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This is a user-friendly health service provider with feedback managing system in between patient, hospital and government.
Role of Digital Technology on Rural Knowledge Management
As part of the promotion of rural development in India, many of the institutions and organizations are engaged with this. Implementation of suitable knowledge management system is a necessary factor for overall development of rural sector. The technological development can make a huge impact over knowledge management process, it became more interactive and people centric, rather than a traditional knowledge management system in rural sector. ‘Digital literacy mission scheme’ was announced in the union budget 2016 – 17, which aims in increasing knowledge in digital devices like, computers, smartphones and the Internet. The process of knowledge sharing in rural sector can be efficiently managed by accompanying with the information and communication technology (ICT). Few of the web portal which is used as a powerful knowledge management tool by hosting information on rural development are www.vikaspedia.in, www.panchayatgyan.gov.in, www.india.gov.in, www.rural.nic.in, www.nird.org.in, www.panchayatonline.gov.in, www.digitalindia.gov.in, www.socialcop.com.
The social media act as a potentially powerful knowledge management tool, regarding the rural development. Social media includes social networking sites, messenger apps, blogs and microblogs, video sharing tools, podcasts, Wikis etc. This helps in data and information sharing, knowledge transfer on faster and easier way, and more cost-effective knowledge delivery. The role of smartphone in rural development is incredible, almost 48% of subscribe are from rural areas. Implementation of some mobile based services held especially for the rural important, such as DISHA, Gram Samvad Avaas App (PMAY-G), Mission Antyodaya App, My SHG App, etc. The establishment of expect system, in rural areas, such as ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), etc., which helps to manage the particular problem which belongs to pre-set conditioned software application, issues of Internet connectivity and non-availability of subject experts. The rural knowledge management system also included with the implementation of online courses, remote class rooms, and video conferencing. As a part of widening of the learning program, massive online open courses have been launched with support of many organizations. Few of them are: http://www.vikaspedia.in/; http://www.panchayatgyan.gov.in/; http://www.india.gov.in/; http://www.rural.nic.in/; http://www.nird.org.in/; http://www.panchayatonline.gov.in/; http://www.digitalindia.gov.in/; http://www.socialcop.com/ .
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SWAYAM, Coursera, edX, Khan academy, Udacity and Future learn. The National Institute of Rural Development and Panjayati Raj, Hyderabad provide the proper training program for elected representatives from rural areas, in the field of adopted information and communication technology (ICT). The establishment of rural community radio, which have objectives of creating awareness, providing knowledge on community development problems, education, hygiene and sanitation, agricultural to local governance, etc. Adoption of digital technology in the process of knowledge management could bring a change in drastically, in the context of rural development. The program, ‘Digital India’, accelerated the rural development program, by making a digital infrastructure up to the level of villages. Scope of new technology: renewable energy adoption for rural areas. Most of the rural areas still remaining are facing the problem of lack of electricity. Government introduced a new program named Saubhagya. Its objective is to ensure the availability of sustainable electrification in every rural household. Many of the rural villages are still depending the renewable energy in the form of mini grids or rooftop solar panels, but it is not much enough. In April 2016, equipment called ‘Solar Dome’ was launched by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister and Technology. The equipment was launched to provide light to rural areas, where electricity has not reached yet. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) promoting multifaceted biomass gasifier-based power plant, the purposeful utility of potential of hydropower, combination of this system might produce enough electricity, especially feasible for rural areas. The government promotes the renewable energy production with considerable collaboration with co-operative agencies. Through the establishment of Micro grid rural cooperative models, many of the success stories are emerging from different part of India. The biomass based rural cooperative models, also providing the employment for householders. The energy based rural cooperative models are well adopted across in India for promoting sustainable electrification and development of rural areas.
Advancement in Rural Agricultural Sector
Another scheme that was launched by the government for rural development is ‘Lab to Land’, in the year 2014. The scheme was launched to increase the agricultural production by the proper use of water. The scheme was made due to the decreasing ground water level in various regions of our country and thus was prepared by the combination of logical and traditional knowledge system. These schemes thus motivate people to conserve water. State agricultural universities and around 15,000 scientists are working together in a program called Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav. The scheme is an initiative taken by the ICAR- NAARM along with the department of science and technology.
ICT for Rural Agricultural Advancement
By using ICT, information can be obtained about new technologies and various government schemes for farmer welfare. Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav helps farmers to adopt new technologies suitable for them by the help of agri-scientists. All gram panchayats are connected through cable broadband under the digital India initiative, thus making sure that even the poor can have access to the Internet in affordable price. SMS service portal has also been launched on July 16, 2013 due to let Internet penetration in the rural areas. Various farming related apps have developed and these can be downloaded from the mKisan portal. An example for such an app is the ‘Crop insurance app’, which provides information about government crop insurance schemes.
System for Rural Water and Sanitation Management
The rural regions of India are suffering from many challenges like, lack of water supply infrastructure, insufficient irrigation facilities, inadequate sanitation facilities, etc.
- Water for agricultural purpose. Many irrigation systems like the, drips, sprinkler etc., are known as the micro irrigation system due to the usage of lower amount of water and thus saving water. Levelling technique like, laser levelling can smoothen out the land surface and thus providing an even distribution of water, reduced water and time requirement for irrigation and fertilizer. Crop practices like system of crop intensification (SCI) gives good results.
- Domestic water management. A recommended method for water filtration is the slow sand filtration technique and; solar disinfection method is an energy efficient method to disinfect water in the household system.
- Current government programs/ mission addressing rural water needs. Some of the major Indian government schemes to alleviate the water problems in rural areas are the following: National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP), National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Program (NRDWQM&S) in 2005, Jalmani in 2008, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) in 2014, all by with the support of MoDWS, Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) in 2003, by Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), National Rurban Mission (NRuM) in 2015, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY) in 2015 by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, National Project on Aquifer Management (NAQUIM) by Ministry of Water Resources, Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) in 2009, by Ministry of Land Resources.
Need of S&T Promotion for Improvement of Rural Areas
The government is continuously making efforts to promote the use of science and technology in rural India. Present NDA regime has started Skill India movement, which basically aims for providing Skill education to youth. Skill can be enhanced by use of science and technology. The labs under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) System especially Response Rate Limiting (RRL) network are established for developing technologies for rural application, i.e., to meet technological needs of rural production and function. The specialized labs, like Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI) deal with the need of rural or semi-rural producers.
A lot of effort is continuously made by the government to promote the use of science and technology in the rural areas of India. The skill India movement, which aims to provide skill education to youth, can be enhanced by the use of science and technology. The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has many labs that are established to develop rural areas.
Centers like Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI) deal with the needs of the rural and semi-rural producers. In rural non-farm sector and rural industries under household, tiny and small sector are engaged in the value addition activities by the help of the technology development research and training centers under KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) and State Khadi Board and institutions such as the Indian Institute for Handloom Technology.
Conclusion
In this, we have seen the different schemes of government that have been developed by our government for the development of rural areas of India. These schemes have been incorporated with science and technology in such a manner that, it is very easily accessible by the common people. In this way knowledge pool can be used by even the people who have basic literacy, and in this way the developmental actions taken by the government will be transparent and can be viewed by the citizens. By using information technology, people can now access the schemes advantage in their smartphones itself. The use of advanced technology and science facilitate for the improvement of agricultural and water management in rural areas.
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