As part of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre’s (BARC) AKRUTI-KRUTIK-FORCE program, the AKRUTI node centre in the Uddhar village, Raigad, was inaugurated by Srikumar Banerjee, Director, BARC, on Saturday morning, making it the second such centre to be inaugurated in Maharashtra.

Through the AKRUTI (Advanced Knowledge and Rural Technology Implementation Initiative), BARC scientists work in co-operation with NGOs around the villages and help villagers in experimenting and creating their own technology, with which they can help other villagers in the area.

“All the technological demonstrations made by the farmers present were shown under the guidance of the BARC scientists,” said A M Patankar, head, technology transfers and collaboration division, BARC. “Though the plant had been functioning for the last one-and-a-half years, we inaugurated it only after making sure that there were no glitches,” he added.

The centre in Raigad now houses a biogas plant based on biodegradable materials. The plant, created by the farmers, was also inaugurated on Saturday. “The biogas plant is based on biodegradable materials and is useful because it keeps conditions hygienic and leaves out any waste,” said Patankar.

“Our main goal is to see to it that the power requirements are met and that the village becomes self-sufficient, or at least see to it that in cases of failure, it can be a supplementary source of power,” he further said. Among the technological innovations made by villagers, there is a water-filter, which provides bacteria-free water and a flexible solar dryer, which dries clothes faster than the conventional dryer.

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