To encourage, recognise and nurture rural innovators, the National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) launched ‘Rural Innovation and Start-up Conclave’ (RISC2017) at its campus on Thursday. The focus of the two-day event would be to build capacities and promote fresh talent by giving them a platform to display their innovation.
The chief guest, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences, Y.S. Chowdary, said rural development was an important subject. “This kind of an initiative that focuses on rural urbanisation requires synchronisation of modern-day development concepts. Since our country is agrarian-based, we have to take a quantum leap to help farmers increase their income and reduce cost of living. I believe NIRD&PR can play a major role in capacity building – helping farmers get fundamental financial literacy and cost accountancy,” he said. Mr. Chowdary also said there was a lot of potential to tap in rural markets and there should be a coordinated effort from the State and Central governments as well as educational institutions to script a growth story in the interiors of the country.
W.R. Reddy, Director General, NIRDPR, Hyderabad, said RISC2017 would be an annual event that could handhold and mentor the innovators and connect start-ups with funding agencies.
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The RISC2017 features RISC Awards 2017 under six domain areas — agriculture and allied, green energy technologies, drinking water, health and sanitation, waste to wealth, sustainable housing and other livelihoods. The award winners would be announced on the second day of the conclave.