The Rural Innovators’ Meet (RIM) – 2018, a three-day event organised jointly by the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CABC) of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), concluded here on Wednesday.
The event set a stage for innovators, especially those from rural areas, to display their inventions, understand marketing methods, issues pertaining to intellectual property rights, micro-financing, and discuss the challenges faced by them.
Three innovators, G.S. Mohan Kumar of Vengoor in Kollam, P.D. Joseph of Kothamangalam in Ernakulam, and P. Ajayan of Thiruvangad in Kannur, were conferred the best rural innovation awards instituted by the KSCSTE .
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The award comprised a citation and purse of ₹25,000 to each.
While Mr. Mohan Kumar got the award for the invention of an automatic cup hanger producing machine for tapping rubber, Mr. Joseph for his easy milking machine, and Mr. Ajayan for developing an automatic water level control system.
Special awards were given to Shaji Varghese and Thomas Chacko from Karombom, Kannur, for their invention of a dust removing system; A. Bhagyaraj from Kumbazha in Pathanamthitta for an electronic voltage detector; N.T. Joseph from Manjeri for his invention of a consova rice drying machine; V.P. Dhivakaran ,of Neeleswaram for an arm and foot protector; Oli Aman Jodha of Ambalvayal for her honey bee transferring machine; and B. Shibu Kumar of Navaikulam in Thiruvananthapuram for a wick irrigation and soil less farming system.
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A special award was given to students of Amal Jyothi Engineering College, Erumeli, for their invention that will help in uprooting cassava. The special awards consist of a citation and cash prize of ₹5,000.
M.C. Dathan, adviser to the Chief Minister, disbursed the awards.
Suresh Das, executive vice president, KSCSTE, presided over the function.