NABARD has developed the RSVC-AMRIT platform in partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (OPSA). The platform aims to promote rural innovation and make useful technologies more accessible to rural communities.
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, launched the platform on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day. NABARD Chairman Dr. Shaji Krishnan V. and representatives from various organisations and stakeholder groups attended the event.
What Is the NABARD RSVC-AMRIT Platform?
AMRIT stands for Accelerated Medium for Rural Innovations and Technologies. The platform will act as a digital backbone for the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) ecosystem. It aims to connect rural communities with suitable and tested technologies. The platform will also support technology sharing, collaboration, monitoring, impact assessment and feedback from rural communities.
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood said the initiative could help connect India’s innovation ecosystem with the needs of rural communities. India has strong scientific and technological capabilities. However, taking these innovations to farmers, rural entrepreneurs and households at scale remains a major challenge. According to Prof. Sood, RSVCs can create a structured system for delivering tested technologies and startup solutions to rural communities through NABARD’s network.
How Will RSVC-AMRIT Support Rural Innovation and Technology Transfer?
The RSVC initiative aims to promote rural innovation by bringing suitable and affordable technologies to communities through local technology hubs at the village level.
Furthermore, the initiative could create new livelihood opportunities and improve access to useful technologies in rural areas. It will also encourage stronger connections between innovators and local communities. NABARD Chairman Dr. Shaji Krishnan V. said India does not lack innovations. Instead, the bigger challenge is connecting rural needs with suitable technologies, validation systems, implementation agencies and finance.
He described RSVC-AMRIT as a tool that can make technology adoption in rural areas faster and more transparent.Dr. Shaji Krishnan also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI). He said AI could help rural communities find suitable and tested solutions while reducing information gaps. At the same time, he stressed the need for better coordination among research institutions, innovators, startups, government agencies, financial institutions and community organisations.
What Areas Will the RSVC- AMRIT Initiative Cover?
The RSVC initiative aims to bring suitable and affordable technologies to rural communities through local technology hubs at the village level.
Key areas covered by the initiative include:
- Agriculture
- Rural enterprises
- Renewable energy
- Education
- Assistive technologies
- Water and sanitation
- Citizen services
These village-level centres will connect research institutions, innovators and startups with rural communities. As a result, people in rural areas can get better access to technologies that meet their local needs.
What Happens Next for NABARD’s RSVC- AMRIT Initiative?
NABARD has already entered into a tripartite MoU with OPSA and NABFOUNDATION, a NABARD subsidiary. It has also established a National Centre of Excellence on RSVCs. Going forward, NABARD will establish RSVCs with its own support and in partnership with corporates through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Meanwhile, NABFOUNDATION will serve as a key implementation partner for RSVC projects supported through CSR programmes. The success of the RSVC-AMRIT platform will depend on its impact at the ground level. Key indicators will include technology adoption, improved livelihoods and higher productivity.
The initiative will also focus on the benefits reaching farmers, women, youth and rural entrepreneurs. Overall, RSVC-AMRIT is expected to support the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by promoting rural innovation, better technology access and sustainable development.
About NABARD
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is a development financial institution focused on agriculture and rural development in India. Established on July 12, 1982, NABARD has its headquarters in Mumbai.
The organisation supports sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural prosperity through credit support, institutional development and innovative programmes. It also plays an important role in supporting farmers and strengthening India’s rural economy.
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