How Innovative, Sustainable Tech Can Empower Rural Women in India

The article explores the potential of innovative and sustainable technologies to empower the 350 million women living in rural India. As men migrate to cities for jobs, women are left to manage their households and communities. Social scientists Chocko Valliappa and Dr. Nirmalesh K Sampath Kumar have authored a paper on how these women can generate income through appropriate technologies. The paper, published by Springer Nature Switzerland AG, emphasizes the application of science and technology (S&T) methods to address rural challenges, enabling women to earn within their communities.

The Sona College of Technology's Women's Technology Park (WTP) in Salem, Tamil Nadu, is highlighted as a successful example. Sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, the WTP has trained nearly 800 women, turning them into entrepreneurs through sustainable projects. Innovations such as solar power dryers for dehydrating vegetables and tile-making units using steel slag are among the technologies empowering rural women. These initiatives not only create economic growth but also contribute to the sustainability of rural communities.

"The idea is to help rural women to set up cottage industries close to farms to help process vegetables and fruits and prevent them from rotting. There is further value addition up the food chain, creating candies from dried products or simply powder for use in soups," Mr. Chocko Valliappa, MD, The Sona Group, said.

"Science and technology interventions have the potential to empower women and create economic growth and it is important that we use it to create impact at all possible levels," said Dr Kumar, Director, Knowledge Transfer and Valourization at Sona College.