The Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) was conceptualized in 2003-04 by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India and formally established in 2004. RuTAG functions as a demand-driven mechanism with a focus on identifying grass-root needs through field-level engagement, and on the development and dissemination of appropriate technologies that are locally relevant, affordable, and sustainable.
Manual planting of rhizomes such as ginger and
turmeric is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone
to uneven spacing, affecting crop yield and overall
productivity. RuTAG IIT Guwahati is developing a
compact, low-cost rhizome planter suited for small and
hilly farms of the northeastern region. Designed for
power tiller or power weeder operation, the machine
aims to improve planting uniformity, reduce drudgery,
and increase mechanization among small and marginal
farmers.
Pottery clusters in Rajasthan, particularly Poonchhari village near Bharatpur, rely on traditional manual methods for producing earthen tawas (griddles). Artisans shape and sun-dry the tawas before firing them using layers of mustard husk and dung cakes- a slow and physically demanding process. The Manual Press for Earthen Tawa Making, developed by RuTAG IIT Delhi, aims to assist these artisans by enabling uniform shaping, improving productivity, and enhancing the quality of the finished tawas.
Pottery clusters in Rajasthan, particularly Poonchhari village near Bharatpur, rely on traditional manual methods for producing earthen tawas (griddles). Artisans shape and sun-dry the tawas before firing them using layers of mustard husk and dung cakes- a slow and physically demanding process. The Manual Press for Earthen Tawa Making, developed by RuTAG IIT Delhi, aims to assist these artisans by enabling uniform shaping, improving productivity, and enhancing the quality of the finished tawas.
Millets such as finger millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet are staple crops among small and marginal farmers in India, especially in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. However, traditional de-husking practices using hand tools like Okhli are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and yield inconsistent quality. To address these challenges, RuTAG IIT Roorkee has designed and developed a low-cost, compact multi-millet de-husking machine aimed at improving efficiency, reducing drudgery, and enhancing the livelihood of rural millet growers and processors.
The Solar Hydro Distiller (SHD) developed by RuTAG IIT Bombay is an innovative solar-thermal technology designed to convert perishable agricultural and floral waste into valuable natural products such as rose water and herbal hydrosols.
From NAARM-The ColdEasy system is an affordable, energyefficient cold storage solution designed to extend the
shelf life of fruits and vegetables in rural and semiurban areas. It converts any regular room into a cold
room, ensuring better preservation, reduced wastage,
and enhanced farmer income while consuming
minimal power.
