Chapter V1

KSSP and Appropriate Technology Development

Appropriate technology is that which advances development, where

development is looked upon as a process which leads to a life with dignity through

the satisfaction of basic needs, starting with the needs of the most needy, self

reliance and non-destruction of, and harmony with the environment.' It

incorporates in it the use of indigenous, resources including the abundant supply of

human labour power and the knowledge that have been accumulated over a period

of time2

Appropriate technology is, in keeping with natural laws, small in scale,

understandable to lay people and workable and maintainable by local resources and

labour. This is also closely connected with a belief in community empowerment

achieved through the generations of community or 'grass roots' consciousness, and

improvement in environmental quality through cooperative endeavours and local

initiatives Appropriate technology should be appropriate to the society concerned.

Kannan observes:

If the human ~acc as a whole is seriously interested in its survival, it can no longer

neglect the issues whlch affect environment, of the land, of the water and of the air.

Danger to the env~l-onment as a result of indiscriminate use of technology could

arise in a society where decisions are signaled through the horse-eyed working of

the market-mechanism or where decisions are taken by a few in the name of

--

' Third World Net Work, Mcxier,, .%rence In Crisis (Penang, 1988), p.66. K.P.% Towords a Peoj11e .Science Alovemenl (Calicut, 1979). p. 132. Susan Baker, Maria Konsis. D~ck Richardson and Stephen Young, The Polirics of Susfainoble

Developmenl: Theory Policv anti Pracrrce GVithin the Europem Union (London, 1977), p. 1 1

majority Therefore the concept of Appropriate Technology cannot but take into

account the necd for protcctiog the c~tv~runrncnt. J .

Conceptually, an understanding of the 'alternative' demands a clearer

understanding of 'alternative to what' in the case of development. It is self evident

that with the demise of centrally planned socialist approaches to development, the

dominant form IS that of aggressively pursued capitalism at the global level. It is an

intricately integrated enterprise of modes of production, production relations, goods

and services, legal, educational and cultural structures, values and lifestyles,

situated within an appropriate philosophical thought, and have evolved over a

period of three centuries. Ideally, seeking an alternative would imply an alternative

to this integrated dominant model of development

The concept of appropriate technology is based on the premises such as a

search aimed at a new way of life. This includes a search for a new philosophy and

a value system, a comprehensive programme of technological development in

harmony with the criteria and determinants of such technologies must arise out of

the social needs and social goals. Alternative technology Development is radically

different from the existing technological development which is based on the

assumption of infinite reservoii. of natural resources, of unlimited capacity of

environments to absorb effluents and of the capacity of societies to adjust to the

technological changes

Kannan, n.2, p.133. Integrating Altcmative Development Efforts in Asia (IADEA) "The Idea Behind IAUEA", Report

on the Workshop at Palakkad K(!rala. Marchl-4. 1996 (Tokyo, 1997), p. 15.

Alternative technology provides a tool which links the long term social and

political objectives of the society with its technological policies. It calls for the

following: (i) industries based on rural raw materials specially agro-waste and

untapped forest resources, (ii) technologies which are energy saving, (iii)

preference for labour-intensive and capital saving technologies, (iv) re-orientation

of west oriented technological approach in India to Research and Development

(R&D) set up and (v) a system of management of appropriate technologies which

will ensure redistribution of wealth in favour of poorer sections of society.

In this chapter we discuss the appropriate technology development activities

of the Integrated Rural Technology Centre (IRTC) which is the research and

development wing of the KSSP. Even though IRTC was formally registered as an

autonomous society only in 1995; the centre was established in 1987 with a core

support from the Science and Society Division of the Department of Science and

Technology, Government of 1ndia6 Right froin its very inception, the KSSP had

realized the importance of research and development as a major component of its

activities as a scienee movement. The understanding that spreading scientific

temper and outlook only through conscientisation had its limitations and that

science can be taken to the people only through increased application of science

and technology in the society's economic activities was gradually gaining

momentum. It was with this objective that the KSSP started setting up rural science

fora. The activities of the rural science fora have thrown out several new challenges

before the KSSP. Attempts in the seventies to initiate alternative development

IRTC: Annual Report 2000-200 I, p. l

approaches at the micro level, interventions for self reliant villages etc., all hmbled

under severe dearth of resource personnel, limited technical capabilities and the

formidable nature of the real life problems in the field. The KSSP was slowly

coming to terms with the field reality: the real gap between science and society.

The necessity for efforts in integration, alternative databases, and even

methodologies were becoming evident. It was in this context that the KSSP started

thinking loudly about establishing an R&D facility of its own.'

The genesis of the KSSP's R&D efforts can be traced back to its research

programme for developing the improved wood burning cook stoves. The cook

stoves widely known as the Parishad Chulha has the highest recorded acceptance

and functionality among the various chulha models propagated in the country and

the lowest drop in fbel efficiency from the laboratory model to the field model. The

resounding success of the chulha has been attributed to the unique methodology of

participatory technology diffusion adopted by the KSSP - extensive field testing of

the prototype and dcsign modifications based on the feedback from the field. he

encouraging results of the chulha development programme inspired the KSSP to

undertake research programmes to develop Ashmoh Cement, an alternative to

ordinary cement. Another promising research programme extremely relevant to the

Kerala context which the KSSP took up was the anaerobic degradation of kitchen

waste with biogas gmeration. However both the programmes met with limited

success mainly due to inadequate co-ordination and ineffective technical

leadership. The set back in the two programmes was an eye opener to the KSSP. It

' IRTC: Annual Report. 1992-93 . p.2

was convinced that half hearted and slipshod endeavours won't lead it anywhere

and that tangible research outputs could originate only from rigorous, systematic

and resolute scientific research. This understanding provoked KSSP to set up its

own central facility for research - The Integrated Rural Technology centre.'

In the battle of the majority for liberation from impoverishment, scientific

understanding and technical ability are the two important weapons. h is the

responsibility of the people's science movements like KSSP to arm them with these

weapons The role of a science centre for action research like IRTC is to adapt the

science and technology inputs, so that the paupenzedmajority can wield them as

weapons in their fight for social reorganisation9

The broad objectives of the IRTC are: (i) to adopt, modify or innovate

appropriate technologies for sustainable rural development, (ii) to use science and

technology for enhancing the capabilities of the deprived or weaker sections of the

society; especially women and children; and (iii) to provide scientific and technical

inputs and proper interface between the administrators and the administered for

enhancing the peoples' educational reach, sustainable and ecologically sound

economic reach and pluralistic cultural reach with proper perspective of value

systems '' The IRTC is located in a campus in the village of Mundur, about thirteen

Kilometers from Palakkad town on the Mannarkkad road. IRTC has a campus, 3.5

hectares in area, with an office accomodation of about 1650 square meters. It has an

li Ibid., p.?: ~ntewiew with C.J. Sivasankaran, Mundur, 20 august, 2 W I . b i d -.--

' O IRTC. Annual Report 2001-2(M2 (Mundw. 2002), pp.3 -4

annual budget of over Rs.74 lakhs (of which less than 20 % is in the form of grant-

in-aid; the rest coming from consultancies and sponsored projects) and a work

force of over 70, among whom we can count civil, electronics, mechanical,

chemical and environmental engineers, agricultural and allied scientists, post-

graduates in environmental science and physical sciences and specialists in

education, economics and sociology. The well developed residential campus is

supported by reasonably equipped workshop, lab and library facilities and a

modern communication network."

The LRTC has developed very close and cordial interaction and professional

association with a number of academic and R&D institutions and agencies like

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Cochin University of Science and

Technology (CUSAT), Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Centre for Earth

Science Studies (CESS), Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Department of

Science and Technolagy (DST), Science, Technology and Environment Committee

(STEC), State Planning Board (SPB), Kerala Institute of Local Administration

(KILA), 4gency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT),

Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Tropical

Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), Energy Management Centre

(EMC) etc

The R T C had been receiving grant-in-aid fmm the Department of Science

and Technology (DST), Government of India since 1987. But it has been stopped

I I IRTC, n o. p. 1

since 1998-99.12 The State Government support as grant-in-aid also is gradually

being reduced (Rs.20 lakh in 1998, Rs. 16 in 1999, Rs. 16 in 2000 and Rs. I2 lakh in

2001). But the success of IRTC in securing for project has been encouraging. The

centre is trying to diversify the sources so as to avoid overdependence on any one

funding agency. The Kerala Research Programme on Local Level Development

(KRPLLD) and IIST are the major sources at present'3.

The IRTC is an autonomous institution and its General Body consists of the

Executive Committee members of the KSSP, together with twenty nominated

members from among people's science movement activists, scientists and

academics. An executive committee with the President of the KSSP as its

chairperson overview the routine activities of the IRTC. The Director is the chief

executive officer of the lRTC and the Registrar is in immediate charge of

management. The research activities are guided by a Research Advisory Committee

consisting of *nior scientists and experts from various fields.I4

The major activities of the IRTC arein the following areas. (i) Energy and

Rural Technology, (ii) Land and Water Management, (iii) Agriculture and Allied

Activities, (iv) Human Resources Development and (v) Local Level Planning." In

general, the activities of R T C may be brought out as follows: ~esearch and

Development, Technology Adaptation and Modification, Technical Support,

l 2 IRTC: Report of Actrvides 1998-'99, p 3 l 3 RTC. n 6. o 5 . l a RTC; ~ e g r t of the FYogmmme for Participatory and Sustainable Panchayat Level Development Planning 1996-'98 (n.d.), p.3. '' RTC, n.13. p. I .

Consultancy, Train~ng, Project Implementation, Reports and Hand Book

Preparation, Product Development and Technology Transfer l 6

The Appropriate Technology Development Projects of the IRTC

IRTC is presently operating more than twenty five sponsored and inhouse

projects The projects can broadly be divided into five categories - Resource

Management and Planning, Agriculture and Allied Technologies, Energy and Rural

Industries, Health and Sanitation and Women Studies Women Studies projects are

discussed in Chapter VII For the sake of convenience of the study, some of the

important projects are selected for discussion. Before discussing the other current

projects, we shall discuss the pioneer project of the KSSP - Improved Wood

Burning Cook Stoves (Parishad Chulha).

Improved Chulha

A survey undertaken by the Kerala State Planning Board shows that 83.04

percent of the total &el consumed by the households in Southern Kerala is used for

cooking I' Kerala is amongst the most fuel dependent states in the country. A major

difference in domestic fuel consumption pattern in Kerala from the rest of the

country is the complete absence of coal. The wood balance of Kerala shows a

sizable gap between demand and supply.'8 The deficit is met with agricultural

wastes, forest wastes and dry leaves. The wood fuel is burned in open fire or in

'inefficient mud stoves. Cooking with purchased firewood in traditional stove is the

.

'"id. I 1 State Planrung Boani, Rural Energy Generation ond Use Pattern (Thhvananthapuram, 1985) '"erala forest Research Institute, Demand and Supply of Wood in Kerola and their Future Trenh vana an^, 1990), p.12.

most expensive fuel option and it is a paradox that the costly fuel is used by the

poor. The open fire or traditional chulha is the least eficient, where only 8 to 10

percent of energy supplied by the &el is utilized.19 The traditional Indian stove

causes considerable air pollution.

The IRTC research found that the best possible means of production of

stoves in large numbers with some degree of quality control at reasonable cost was

through decentralized production by artisans. This would also provide some relief

to the potters whose traditional craft was facing serious threat with the large-scale

introduction of metal and plastic ware. An elaborate training of potters was taken

up. Initially 12 potters from different parts of the state were given an intensive

training to make moulds for the various chulha designs. Thereafter using these

potters as trainers, training was given to local artisans in areas where they were

living in clusters Thus a mechanism of manufacturing moulds on a large scale

through a network of potters spread all over the state was established. Training for

KSSP activists in fitting of the stove was also organized simultaneously on a large

scale. Thus by 1984 the chulha models were ready for diffusion.20

The KSSP models were registered with the Department of Non-

Conventional Energy sources (DNES) and dissemination started with its support. In

1986 Agency for Non-Conservational Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) was

made the primary agency through which the diffusion programme was organized.

The DNES subsidy for the stoves was channeled through ANERT. At present, 38

l 9 IADEA, n.5, pp.139-40 20 IADEA, n.5, p. 144.

agencies have installed 5 lakhs of high efficiency cook stoves in Kerala.'' The high

efficiency Parishad stove can bring the firewood consumption of an average

household down to one third to fifty percent.22

1. Resource Management and Planning.

Coastal Zune Master Plan for Thrissur District

Coastal zones are ecologically very sensitive and any development

programme implemented in coastal areas should be based on scientific studies. The

gamut of development activities on the coast - aquaculture, mechanized fishing,

tourism, thermal stations, port expansion etc - pose varying degrees of threats to the

coastal environment. Apart from the immediate question of adverse environmental

impacts is the larger issue of operationalising the paradigm of sustainable

development in coastal areas. Due to the peculiar features of Kerala, this is a

stupendous task, calling creative w-operation of the state, the local bodies,

23 scientific institutions, polltical parties, and non-governmental organizations.

Even though there were a numberof studies on coastal zone development

in general, there was no study conducted with an integrated approach. The main

objective of the project was to prepare a master plan for Thrissur district for its

coastal area development, taking into consideration the details regarding habitation,

sanitation and drinking water availability and various problems related to fishing

industry and scope of tourism in the area, based on the Coastal Regulation Zone

bid. " P.V.Unni Knshnan, "A Model for Participatory Technology Development: A Case Study of Parishad Chulhrs" (Palakkad, 1994), pp.14.

C.P.Geevan, "Kerala's Coastal Area: The Case foe a Coastal Zone Management Plan Covering Coastal Land and Watei' in M.A.Oommen (ed), Rethinking Development: tieralo's Dwelopntent Experience (New Delhi. 1999). p.280.

Act (CRZ). Various studies and surveys were conducted and a final report had been

prepared 2"

Preparation of Wateded - Based Development Project for Palakkad District

Considering the drought - proneness and water scarcity in Palakkad district,

the Rural Development Ministry has sanctioned about 3.5 crore for the watershed

development works in the distnct The Rural Development Ministry insisted the

District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) to spend this money on the basis of

comprehensive watershed based development plan. DRDA approached IRTC for

preparing watersheds and to prepare watershed based master plan. The major

objective of the project was to prepare detailed master plan for watershed based

development of each micro watershed in selected panchayats of Palakkad district.

Accordingly in the year 2000-01 IRTC prepared a development master plan for

micro watersheds at Mundur, Puduppariyarum and Akathethara panchayats and

submitted to DRDA 25

Study on the Pedbilitiea of evolving a Locally Appropriate and Integrated Credit Plan-the

caae of Akathethrr G r u a Panchaynt

The role of financial lnstitutions in the local level development is crucial In

the People's Planning Campaign, the local banks and other financial institutions

were identified as the major source of financial support. But the banks in Kerala

have not given any serious look into the changing scenario. The objective of the

study sponsored by KRPLLD of CDS was to propose a methodology and approach

24 IRTC, n.6, p. 11. 25 IRTC: Admi~Smtive Repon 1999-2000, p.3: ITRC, n.6, p.13

for evolving a locally appropriate credit plan, integrating with the perspective

development plan of the Grarna ~ a n c h a ~ a t . ~ ~

The project team examined the role of financial institutions in the

Panchayat's development activities critically assessed the role of existing credit

plan systems, its limitations and constraints. The project proposes some

methodology for the integration of the credit plan with the panchayat development

plan. A number of workshops and training programmes were conducted as part of

the project A hand book on Bankv'(,'redit Schemes was prepared 27

Participatory Local Development Programme (PLDP) -Phase I

The PLDP project was the result of the close interaction between the KSSP

and the Centre for Development Studies, especially the group associated with the

Indo-Dutch Collaboration Project called Kerala Research Project on Local Level

Development '" The first phase of the programme was started in May- 1990 and it was

completed in December 1998. Through this phase, a system had been developed for

data gathering and processing with maximum people's participation and local

initiatives Besides these, data had been compiled for different status reports such

as Socio Economic Report, Education Status Report, Health Status Report, and

Natural Resource Appraisal Report 29

'6 IRTC, n.6, p.20. '' Ibid., p.20. " IRTC: "The Repon of tire Programme for Participtory and Sustainable Panchayat Level Development Phning ' , Phase-I, 19%-'98, p.8. l9 IRTC: n.13. pp.10-1 I

The major outcome of the project was the emergence of new micro level

institutions which could strengthen the democratic process with more people's

participation. They are Registered Panchayat Development Societies (PDS), Ward

Development Committees (WDS). Neighbourhood Groups (NHG) for every 25 to

50 households, Sector-wise subcommittees for Panchayat level, ward level and

NHG level and Credit linked Self Help Groups envisaged for the empowerment of

Participatory Local Level Development Programme -Phase U

Different review committees had recommended the further extension of this

project to study the dynarn~cs of the micro-level institutions that emerged as a part

of the earlier effort and its stabilisation process. The major thrust of the second

phase was in developing the model of sustainable micro-level spatial planning, ie.

long term development planning and to develop a strategy for introducing these

models in all the LSGs (L,ocal Self Ciovernments) in era la^'.

The second phase of PLDP was started in January 1999. Duration of this

phase was 3 years ending Z 1 " December 2001. The draft report of the activities of

the programme was presented for discussion in a seminar held from 22-24' of

October 2001 at CDS, Thiruvananthapuram and the final report was completed in

March 2002 " The main objectives of this project were: to develop a set of models

of participatory planning for sustainable development, to develop local expertise, to

create suitable micro-level institutions, to undertake activities for empowering

- -- -- - -

" Ibid. " IRTC, n 6, p 22. '' KSSP, Annual Repon 2002. p 88

women, and to develop a series of implementation packages for selected

panchayats "

Five Grama Panchayats were chosen as working models of participatory

democracy with particular emphasis on resource based and sustainable

development planning - The Panchayats were Mayyil (Kannur), Onchiam

(Kozhikkode), Madakkathara (Thrissur), Kumarakom (Kottayam) and Mezhuveii

(Pathanamthitta)

9 great deal of emphasis was laid on the creation of micro-level

organizational structures like NHGs, PDSs and TSG, as these were perceived to be

the foundation for development. Various efforts were also made in the panchayats

for human capability development. The specific areas identified included

education, health, land and water management, data generation and documentation,

building up organizational structures, areas related to People's Plan Campaign,

Preparation of Perspedtive Plan and women centred activities. A total of about 50

such trainings were conducted at the state level and 230 at the Panchayat level. The

numbers of participants were 1670 at the state level and 16819 at the panchayat

level (More than half were women).

Some of these training programmes were followed up in a uniform way in

all the panchayats (eg. welcoming monsoon, drainage mapping, PRM and Resource

Appraisal, Sock-Economic Survey, Local History writing etc. Some projects like

Preparation of Watershed based Development Plan were taken up only in a local

33 IRTC, n. 11. pp.4344.

specific manner But in all the panchayats, the formulation of NHGs and TSGs had

a significant impact.3"

In all the panchayats where NHGs had been formed, the grama sabhas had

not only better attendance (especially of women), but also meaningful participation,

through the effective preparatory work done through the NHGs. A number of

documents/handbooks prepared by the PLDP core group came quite handy for the

State Planning Board and the PPC campaigners to enrich and empower their

fieldwork. The preparation of the Panchayat Development Report, a key document

in the PPC, was greatlyfacilitated by the pioneering work of the PLDP. Several

workshops and clinics were organized under PLDP to improve the quality of the

projects drawn up under the PPC The TSGs proved to be of great help to the grama

panchayats in project implementation and monitoring.35

But perhaps the most important contribution of PLDP was in giving a

special edge to the projects for the development of women and in generating the

capability of women themselves to conceive and implement these projects from a

women's perspective.

Basic studies undertaken in the five selected panchayats under the PLDP

relate both to natural as well as social resources. In addition to this, a

comprehensive Socio-Economic Survey and a document on Local History were

also attempted. The preparation of watershed based development plans was a major

concerned ares of the PLIIP and by the completion of PLDP process, a successful

34 Ibid., p.45. 35 Ibid., p.46,

field model has genuinely emerged. which is now eagerly sought for by several

other panchayats "'

Another key objective of the PLDP exercise was the preparation of

Sustainable Perspective Plan for a panchayat in a participatory manner. The most

innovative part of this was the "Collective Dreaming", an experiment to induce the

common people-not just a few visionaries-to dream about a new society which

could be realized with hard and purposive collective action. The whole plan was

centred around projects to create sustainable, productive employment, based on the

natural resources and strength of the panchayat.

Effort was also made in the area of empowerment of women. A key

instrument in this effort was the creation of -"Women's Core Group" (WCG) in all

these panchayats. They were given intensive training and encouragement to play a

leadership role in conceiving, planning and implementing women development

programmes and projects: They took the initiative in conducting Women's Sta& .

Reports and in organising Women Self Groups (SHGs), etc.

The Neighbourhood Group (NHG), Panchayat Development Society (PDS),

the Technical Croup (TSG) and lately the Women's Core Group (WCG) are

undoubtedly the lasting contributions which have taken roots and can cany forward

the various initiatives generated under the PLDP.'~

The major. findings of the PLDP report were: (i) The micro level

organizations developed through PLDP are stable and sustainable forms of social

36 Ibid. 37 Ibid., p.47.

capital that can knction as counter veiling power centres to establish true

democracy in a highly 'politically polarised' society like Kerala, (ii) The

intervention package - women core group - SHG - WDS, intended for the capacity

building of women has been very effective and therefore can be emulated in other

grama panchayats also, (iii) However, to ensure sustainability of the above system,

citizen's empowerment has to be a continuous mechanism. The citizen's education

package developed under PLDP is a successful strategy to ensure s u ~ t a i n a b i l i t ~ . ~ ~

An Action R w h on Empowering Grama Sabhas in Kerala

The Project aimed to improve the quality and functional scope of Grama

Sabhas by introducing d~fferent tools and package of activities to empower the

members of Grama. Five selected gramapanchayats namely Peralassery (Kannur),

Panangad (Kozhikode), Cheekode (Malappuram), Mundur (Palakkad) and Aryad

(Alappuzha) had been associated with the project The panchayats were selected

&om different parts of the state considering all possibilities of variations like

topography, political affiliations, tribal areas, intervention of NGOs and other

socio-economic factors Orientation classes through NHGs and seminars on

watershed and integrated development were conducted in all the project panchayats

to achieve maximum participation in the Grama ahh has.^' r

2. Agriculture and Allied Technologies

Inclined Upward Tapping in Rubber Trees for Substantial Yield I n c ~ a s e and Reduced

Bmwn Bast Incidence

The DST sponsored IRTC project has challenged the unscientific rubber

tapping method prevalent for the last 100 years. The project aimed for the

popularization of a new scientific rubber tapping technology, namely, inclined

upward tapping, which increases the latex yield substantially and reduce brown

bast incidence in rubber trees. Evolving a successhl methodology for the

popularization of the new technique and establishing a training centre at IRTC to

impart training in the new rubber tapping technique were the other objectives of the

project. Demonstration plots were set up in 10 locations in Kollam, Pathanamthitta,

Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode Districts. Among those who have allotted

plots include the public sector corporations like Plantation Corporation of Kerala

and Kerala State Farming Corporation. The handbook "Rubber Tapping - Inclined

Upward Tapping" has been published to facilitate the training

Self-Sustainiag Rabbi Rearing and h r Prucessing Units as an Income Generating activity for

Women

Rabbit have great potential to convert agricultural and kitchen waste into

quality meat and fur. It is quite suitable for backyard and production, and can be

taken up by rural women as an income generating activity.

The objective of the project were to develop a replicable model of

panchayat level rabbit rearing unit through establishing commercially viable rural

40 IRTC, n.27, pp.7-8.

enterprise, based on rabbit raising, and to establish a central slaughter house and

marketing facility at each Panchayat '"

The Central Rabbit Unit at lRTC is functioning full fledged. Strong

networks were built in three selected panchayats - Madakkathara, Puthur and

Akathethara. Training programmes are undertaken at IRTC. About 600 trainees

have attended different levels of training in the first year itself 42 The progress of

the project had been reviewed at the group monitoring workshop held on 24-28

November 1999 at NBRl Lucknow The committee had evaluated the progress and

rated as 'very good' and had recommended to translate the Malayalam Hand Book

Muyal ValarthaI C h i Swayam Thozh~l (Rabbit Rearing. A self-employment

project) into Hindi and Engl~sh The Kerala State Literacy Mission has identified

the handbook as a recourse book for the continuing education programme and

purchased 500 books for dlstnbution 43

Networks of S.rt.inabk Small Scale' Oyster Mushroom Production Units through Field

G m p of R u d Women

Mushroom cultivation has emerged as a promising ago-based, land

independent enterprise. Oyster mushroom has more potential in this country

because of the low-cost technology, direct use of agro-wastes and suitable climate.

Cultivation technology is very simple. Most suitable substrate for mushroom

cultivation is paddy straw 44

4' IRTC, n.6, p.26. 42 IRTC, n. 13, p.9.

KSSP, Annual Repon, 2002, p.90. 44 Ibid., pp.3,8; KSSP, Annual Report 2002. p.90

IRTC has made a deliberate attempt to internalize and develop expertise for

mushroom cultivation with an aim to popularize it as an income generating activity

for rural women. The project aims to establish economically viable, self sustaining

small-scale oyster mushroom production units in selected panchayats with sole

participation of women, by providing training and technical help, and supply of

good quality spawn.4s

IKTC has established a mushroom spawn production lab at the campus.

Rural women from neighbourhood panchayats were trained in mushroom

cultivation. During the year 2001. about 4000 packets of spawns have been

supplied to panchayats and local cultivators. Mushroom units in various panchayats

were given technical guidance by IRTC team.46

3. Energy and Rural Industries

Meenavallom Small Eydel Project

The Kerala approach to elect~icity development has been based entirely on

hydro-electric projects. This preference is accounted on the one hand for the lack of

oil or coal resources and on the other the abundance of water resources, with 41

west-flowing and 4 east-flowing rivers. But Kerala's hydro power development, on

which the state was solely dependent tun into tough times during the 1980s for

several reasons, environmental constraints being the most important. Very little

funds were spent on strengthening the Transmission and Distribution (T&D)

Systems. As a result the lines got overloaded and the T&D losses mounted to 30 %.

45 IRTC, n.6, p.28. 46 IRTC, n.13, p.9.

In some parts of the state, the customers' voltage is as low as 30V instead of the

regular 23OV '' The situation makes decentralized power generation based on local

resources attractive for rural areas of Kerala. Kerala's undulating terrain and

numerous perennial streams offer ideal conditions for energy generation based on

Small Hydel Projects ( sHP) .~~ SHP development in the state was previously given

a low pr~ority due to the widely-held perception that SHP schemes don't pay

economically. The reason for this misgiving is the failures, and delays associated

with earlier SHP projects

The Meenvallam SHP project is a major consultancy work undertaken by

LRTC along with the Karimba Grama Panchayat of Palakkad District. The detailed

investigation of the site aimed at establishing the feasibility of a small hydroelectric

project was underteken with the support of the Science Technology and

Environment Committee and the (ANERT). The investigations ran from April 1994

t o March 19% involving topographical, hydro-meteorological and socio economic

data collection and preparation of a cost effective design. Local community

members trained for the purpose collected data. The Civil Engineering students

conducted the engineering survey of the area.49 The hydro-meteorological data

collections were done by semi-skilled young men from the locality, selected and

trained for the purpose. The IRTC provided the technical support base.50 CWRDM,

41 R.V.G.Menon, "Energy Planning" in MA.Oommen (ed.), Rethinking Development: Kerala's Development Fxpience Vd.n, (New Delhi, 1999), pp.459-69; KSSP Annual Repon 1998, pp.61-62.

P.V.Unni Kridmaq " S t l S e g y for Demand Side Based End-use Oriented Energy Management of the K e d a Power System" (Pahkka4 1996). 49 T.M.Tho~nas IPDC and Richard. W.Franke, Local Democracy and Development People's Campaignfor De~~tral isedPlanning in Kerala (New Delhi, 2000), p.74.

IRTC. n.27. p.2.

CESS, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Land Use Board and Forest

Development Department were also involved in the Meenvallom study. The data

revealed that the site have a gross head availability of 210m and a minimum

average daily discharge of 0.1 1 cubic metres per second, which was used for design

calculations. Since the KSEB grid extends very close to the site, the goal of the

local community was to supply power to the existing grid to improve voltage. The

project had a run-of-the-river design for 4 hours generation during the evening

peak5'. The instalied capacity of the project is 3MW and 8.4 Million Units of

energy will be produced annually. The submergence area comes to a very small

area of 0 3 hecters. The rate of power purchase has been fixed as Rs.2.5 per unit for

the first five tears and Rs. 2.12 for the second five years.s2

The project report prepared by IRTC for the Meenvallom SHP has been

taken up by PalaWrad District Panchayat for implementation with full technical

support from IRTC through a public limited conipaoy called Palakkad Small Hydro

Company.53 Forest clearance had been procured but the forest land earmarked for

the project is yet to be handed over to the company.54

A Micro H y d d Momasing Pump as Turbine Kavarakundu, MaIampuzha

This is a joint venture of IRTC, Fluid Control Research Laboratory (FCRL),

Kirloskar Brothers Company and Malampuzha Grama Panchayat sponsored by

.- -.

" Resy George, ''Assessment of Small Hydel Potential in a Micro-Watershed in Bharathapuzha Basin" Paper presented at 8" Kerala Science Congress. 19% quoted in Issac and Franke, n.5 I , p.74. " IRTC. n.6, p.36. '' lbid. 54 IRTC, n.35, p.36; KSSP Annual Repon, 1Y%, pp.52-53.

KRPLLD, and CDS. The concept 'pump as turbine' and 'induction motor as

generator' for micro hydel stations is a wide spread technology in 3rd world

countries The projects alms to install a micro hydel scheme coupled with a

drinking water scheme which benefits to a tribal colony of 40-50 hamlets at

Kavarakundu near Malampuzha reservoir 5 5

Field testing of a Weod Burning Gasifier for Energy Generation and Evaluating the

Performance using Coeesut Palm Products

Biomass Gasifier rs a device that converts solid biomass into combustible

gas through incomplete combustion and the gas thus produced is called producer

gas. The gas, thus produced, if cooled and cleaned can be used as hel. The gas has

many industrial and domestic applications. This was a CDS hnded collaborative

project with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The project is aimed to evaluate

the techno-economic feasibility of biomass gasifier with prevailing conditions in

Kerala and to specifically test the feasibility of coconut @owns as fuel in gasifier.

Emphasis is given to the decentralised energy generation and management for the

above system in the field level with people's participation.56

Total Village Ekcb%clUoll Programme in Chathamala Colony in EWulam Pancbayat using

Biomass Gasifer

This was a collaborative project with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

and Elikkulam Grama Panchayat. The major objectives include electrification of

Chathamala colony using bio-residue gasifier and distribution of cooking gas,

which will accelerate the overall development of the whole area with a number of

IRTC, n.27, p.9, IRTC, -6, p.30; IRTC,n.35,pp.34-35 56 IRTC, n.6, p.32; IRTC. 11.35. p.32.

programmes like providing electricity for lighting, drinking water supply,

entrepreneurship development and generation of employment opportunities. This is

also expected to evdve a replicable model for decentralized biomass based power

generation system with people's participation which will make the village self-

sufficient in energy. 57

Electronic Bstlwt for Ruorescent Tubes and Compact Fluorescent Lamps

The DEFENDUS (Development Focused End Use Oriented) study

undertaken by IRTC shows that one third of the total power consumption and three

fourth of the peak load goes for the lighting.purpose only. The study also reveals

that this consumption can be reduced significantly if energy efficient lighting

devices like fluorescent tubes and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are used

instead of ordinary bulbs. But this cannot be implemented immediately, because the

lampdballast available in the market are of poor quality and would cause havoc in

the distribution system, if used in large numbers. So IRTC decided to take up the

R&D work to produce and market good quality electronic ballasts, which meet the

IS specification 58

Hot Box Modification

The Hot Box developed by IRTC using high grade thermocole is a modified

version of the good old 'Kachippetty' for energy conservation in cooking The Hot

Box is being marketed by Parishad Production Centre and it has become popular

among the people. IRTC has been trying to improve the durability and appearance

~

57 IRTC, n.6, p.33. IRTC, n.6. p.34; IRTC, n.35. p.37; KSSP Annual Report, 1997. p.56.

of the Hot Box through providing a suitable coatingtskin and contacted a lot of

institutions and industries for the same5'

Development of New Techniques for the Resewation of Coconut Leaves and Bamboo Poles

using Copper Sulphate as Preservative Material

The leaves of coconut tree and bamboo poles are widely used in

construction work and in small scale industries. But. these materials are

biodegradable requiring rethatching of the houses every year which causes much

financial strain The major objective of the project hnded by Department of

Science, Technology and Environment (STED) is to develop a simple and cost

effective non-hazardous technology for the preservation of coconut leaves and

bamboo poles. 'The project is of high socio-economic relevance especially for the

economically backward population of the state.60

Toilet Soap and Detergee Making

The making of toilet soap, which is one of the major consumer items in

Kerala, can be taken up as an income generating activity at homestead level. IRTC

has standardized the technology for toilet soap making suitable for homestead level

production with an assured quality. A separate society, viz., Samatha Production

Centre, has been established to manage the production, marketing and raw-material

distribution. IRTC has succeeded in developing the technology and popularizing it

as an income generating activity. KSSP organizational network is actively involved

59 IRTC, n.6, p 35. Ibid.. p 77

in the popularization of' the technology. All district offices of KSSP are now

equipped to give training and manage material supply 6 '

4. Health and Sanitation

Solid Waste Management (SWM) of Chalakkudy Municipality

Most mun~cipalities in Kerala are yet to establish adequate solid waste

treatment facilities. Presently there is no economically viable technology available

to process the small quantities of solid wastes generated in the municipalities and

suburban areas Through this project IRTC has made an attempt to bridge gap

between actual field conditions and laboratory results. This was accomplished by

the appropriation of available technologies to conceive a sustainable model through

adaptive research and thereby build confidence among the functionaries of local

bodies to make and run their own plant. IRTC can provide technical and

managerial backup to the efforts of local self governments to get rid of this social

menace.62

Promoting Waste Tmatment Initiatives in Local Self Government Institutions in Kerala

through Tecbdogy Adaption and Transfer

'The major problem faced by the municipalities of Kerala is the non-

availability of locally adaptable, economically and environmentally sustainable

technology for solid waste management. Through this project IRTC proposes to

bridge the gap between the available standard waste treatment technologies to

develop a susta~nable model through adaptive research and its transfer to local

bodies in order to build confidence among the functionaries to install and run their

61 IRTC, n.27, p.2: RTC, n.6, p.40; KSSP Annual Report, 2001, p.53 6'IRTC,n.13,p.10.1RTC.n.6,p.40;IRTC,o.35,p.39.

own treatment plants. It is an action research tried to execute through panchayat

governance by IRTC providing technical support. For this purpose, a waste

treatment demonstration yard was installed in IRTC campus and certain

experiments on different combinations of animal manure and the wmposting

durations, effect of covering, standardisation of composting fundamentals and

verrni cornposting were conducted6'

An Action Rexarch Prr(lramme for Improving Sanitation Facilities in Waterlogged Areas

In Kerala, coastal areas and areas adjoining the backwaters are affected by

groundwater pollution due to high water table. The affected area is about 8% of

the total land area of Kerala. Septic tanks are among the major contributions of

ground water contamination in these areas. So, it was felt that composting latrines

are more suitable in these areas. The main objectives of the project hnded by

KRPLLD (CDS) were to study the functional efficiency of the modified compost

latrine for waterlogged areas in Kerala and to assess the suitability of the modified

system in different waterlogged areas of Kerala.

Kumamkom Panchayat in Kottayam district was selected as the study area.

Detailed study about the waterlogging problem in the area was done. A urine and

washing diversion closet was developed in IRTC and tested successhlly in the

field. Two compost latrines with this closet were constructed in the panchayat.

Another compost latrine without closet was also installed.64 ,

IRTC, II 35, p 40 64 IRTC, n 6, p 41; IRTC, ~ 3 5 . p 42

Capitalist forces act not only at the global level but even at the local remote

level, establish their hegemony through their control over the economy and their

appropriation of knowledge. A people's movement like the KSSP has to respond to

this kind of a world order which is complex and exploitative. Since its very

inception, the KSSP has been sensitive to this situation. Sooner it recognized that

imparting scientific outlook through the process of wnscientisation alone won't do.

Empowerment of the people with the knowledge of nature and society is possible

only through the extension of science and technology to their regular economic

activities. It was with this realization that the KSSP started thinking in terms of

establishing a permanent research and development wing for the development,

practice and promotion of appropriate technology. In the form of IRTC, it has

grown into an institution capable of adapting technologies known elsewhere into

forms very much acceptable to the people, disseminating scientific culture, working

out local level development plans, taking new technologies out of R&D institution

for field trials and developing integrated science and technology packages and

management models for strengthening local economies.