RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) 

Syllabus :GS 3/ Science and Tech /Economy 

In News

• The RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) was launched in Mandaura village, Sonipat, marking a transformative moment for rural technological advancement.

RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) Model

• It was conceptualized by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA).
• It is designed to serve as a permanent presence at the Panchayat level, providing deep handholding to cater to the technological needs of 15-20 villages over several years. 
• It was honoured with the first prize at the NSE’s Social Stock Exchange event in Varanasi in 2024.

Technological Solutions Offered

• RSVC offers a comprehensive range of 12 technology tracks to address diverse rural challenges:
  • Agriculture & Waste Management: Services for agriculture, waste management, homestays, and village tourism, supported by pre-sowing to post-harvest technologies, in collaboration with KVKs.
  • RuTAG Technologies: Innovations from 7 IITs, developed under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
  • Livelihood & Entrepreneurship: Promoting local entrepreneurship through schemes like NRLM in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Renewable Energy: Solar hybrid and wind technology solutions, with technical assistance from SELCO Foundation.
  • WASH: Waste management, water, and sanitation solutions, including IIT Madras Aquamaps and weVois technologies.
  • FinTech: Financial inclusion apps and AR/VR technologies developed by IISC and XR Group.
  • Capacity Building: Research and capacity-building initiatives with Tier 2 & 3 colleges where NIFTEM is a facility for piloting biscuit manufacturing from locally sourced materials like sugar, ghee. NAARM undertaking capacity building of RSVC centre heads.
  • Govt. Scheme Apps: Dissemination of government schemes through citizen-centric apps for science, tech, and welfare programs.
  • Assistive Technologies: Solutions for differently abled individuals through the Assistive Technology Foundation.

Purpose of RSVC

• RSVC aims to bridge the gap between rural needs and technological advancements, ensuring innovation reaches grassroots communities.
• Focuses on addressing challenges like animal intrusion, organic farming, and livelihood-enhancing technologies.

Role of Technology in Rural Growth

• Farming: Precision tools (GPS, sensors) and mechanization (tractors) increase crop yields and efficiency.
• Education: Online learning and digital literacy bridge the gap for rural students. Initiatives like PM e-VIDYA and SWAYAM provide digital learning opportunities.
• Financial Inclusion: The DBT program and PM Jan Dhan Yojana facilitate cashless transfers, improving transparency and reducing fraud.
• Water Management: The National Program on Aquifer Mapping and Management utilizes technology for efficient groundwater management in agriculture.

Future Outlook 

• RSVC initiative marks a significant step towards empowering rural India through sustainable, scalable, and impactful technological solutions.
• Continuous updates and feedback will be used to refine and scale the impact of RSVCs.

Source: PIB