Pune News
Maharashtra’s First Smart Village Centre Inaugurated in Pune
Farmers from Dhamari village in Pune are praising the newly established Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAGe) Smart Village Center (RSVC), with many believing it could pave the way for a new generation of ‘agripreneurs.’Inaugurated on March 5 by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, the RSVC is equipped with advanced technologies such as satellite-based soil nutrient monitoring and solar dryers, which are expected to benefit over 5,000 farmers from nearby villages.“RSVC will create market linkages through partnerships with e-commerce platforms, allowing rural producers to access larger markets and sell our produce at competitive prices.
Training from experts at RSVC will help farmers learn about emerging technologies,” stated Sagar Daphal, a 29-year-old farmer from Dhamari village.The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser conceptualized RuTAGe in 2003-04, focusing on agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship, farmer education, digital inclusion, financial access, and water management, among other areas.
“These technological solutions have the potential to nurture ‘Agripreneurs.’ They provide us with services at affordable rates; for instance, a mango sapling costs us Rs 120 in the market but is available for just Rs 25 at RSVC. The solar dryers will save us time and effort, enabling farmers to bring their produce to market profitably and helping to double farmers’ incomes while addressing the issue of farmer suicides,” added Shubhangi Nilakh, a farmer from Mukhai village.“The RSVC aims to support entrepreneurs in creating job opportunities, enhancing productivity, and improving the quality of life, particularly in rural areas. We cannot expect rural India to come to digital platforms; instead, such centers work towards technology-driven rural empowerment,” said Dr. Sapna Poti,
Director of Strategic Alliances in the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI, during the inauguration.“Currently, at Dhamari, we are offering five out of twelve technological tracks under the RSVC Programme. We have launched satellite-based soil nutrient monitoring, a plant nursery with high-quality saplings, a solar dryer for post-harvest processing, agri-advisory with digital soil testing, and a fertilizer unit for sustainable inputs, along with an integrated processing machine featuring a grain cleaning plant. These services are provided to farmers at affordable prices, with up to 90 percent subsidy available on saplings. This initiative will benefit over 5,000 farmers from surrounding villages,” explained Siddhesh Sakore, founder of Agro Rangers, who leads the Dhamari-based RSVC Center.
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