SRI was originally designed as an Institute to act as a model for Integrated Appropriate Technology Management System (ATMS) to ensure that science and technology reaches the villages and mainly the marginalised sections therein. Today this concept is used in the national programmes like Regional Resource Centre of Rural Technology, Block level Rural Technology Park, Technology Service Centres. SRI has changed from on Institute to an Association working with more than 200 field level organizations.

Initially, the focus of SRI was on Construction and Electro-mechanical Service Technologies and over the years it has enlarged to cover 9 core functions:
  • Information Technology: Aims at communities and families to plan activities based on scientific collection of verifiable data, assessing potentials and limitations of options, scheduling works and monitoring performance. This exercise is termed P4 (participatory Perspective Plan Preparation) Exercise. The ownership of plan is thus with the user. Expert advice is provided for analysis and decision. This had proved to be an excellent tool for family-based Poverty Eradication Programmes and will be essential for the Gram Sabhas to effectively apply the Employment Guarantee schemes.
  • Biotechnology : Focus is on Culture, Nursery and Production Protocol for Straw-based and Medicinal mushroom Composting and Organic Plant Protectants, Artificial breeding of Carp. SRI acted as the co-ordinator for National Programme on Carp breeding.
  • Construction Technology : Innovations include random rubble filled concrete blocks as substitute for brick, prefabricated rafter-plank and shell roofing, sand and stone compact foundation for buildings and enveloping arch foundation for small dams. SRI acted as the co-ordinator for national programme on cost-effective construction.
  • Processing Technology : Focus is on bulk preservation of agriculture, horticulture and forest produce. Seven modulated technologies are used. Food processing efforts of SRI fetched National Productivity Council Award. Innovations cover Bamboo workshop, energy food using Mahua and Marua, ready-to-serve drinks, natural vinegar.
  • Electromechanical Engineering : Developed devices like Washer Pump, Pedal operated stone shaper, combine Lac processor, gauze-cutter, various processing equipments.
  • Land and Water Management : Innovated Flexi-dam concept to replace check dam. SRI is instrumental in introducing large scale application of mechanized pond digging and was the co-ordinator of National Programme on Land and Water Management. P4 Exercise is a critical instrument.
  • Health Engineering : Most important innovations are Panchayat level Sanitary napkin production, and, sourcing, filtering and purification of household water. Community health service as an Adolescent girls programme has been introduced. Food and nutrition security as women’s enterprise is the new thrust area.
  • Energy Technology : From small 10kW dual fuel services, SRI has established a 100 KW station run by Bedia community. Hydrogen generation, storage and transport, manually charged LED reading lamps are being taken up.
  • Agricultural Engineering : Agriculture-Horticulture database of 22 districts of Jharkand has been prepared, System of Rice Intensification has been introduced for upland cultivation by marginal farmers. Farming protocol for medicinal plants is provided.
All functions of SRI are linked with technology transfer. SRI has trained about 18,000 villagers on different technologies and around 100 NGOs on Technology Management in different States.

SRI provides trainers for many organizations and regularly conducts technology awareness programmes for officials of Central and State governments, Technological and Research institutions, Industries and Financial institutes.

REMARKABLE INNOVATION DONE BY JAMNALAL BAJAJ AWARDEE-1999:

Dr. AJOY KUMAR BASU
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
SOCIETY FOR INDUSTRIALISATION (SRI)
BARIATU,
RANCHI-834009
INDIA