Business

Employing technology for rural uplift

ON MODERNISATION: Coconut oil being produced at Sevashram unit in Angamali

KOCHI: Modern technology is yet to make an impact on rural life. Farmers are unable to adopt the available scientific practices either owing to lack of financial resources or proper support from government agencies.

Quite often, it is a non-governmental organisation that play a role in rejuvenating the rural economy. Sevashram, based in Angamally, is playing this role in a unique way. The 13-year-old non-governmental organisation, has been contributing to the welfare of a number of villagers in Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kottayam.

The NGO has built a network of human resource capable of developing useful technologies for rural consumption. The organisation has demonstrated the technologies successfully and is deriving greater strength from the self-sustaining model it has evolved over the years.

The production of coconut oil in an organic environment is a typical example of the skill employed by the organisation to utilise manpower for making a useful product with available resources. Right from collection of coconuts to extracting oil and marketing, there are dedicated personnel to supervise the string of activities. All of them are bound by the congeniality that Sevashram has extended.

Unlike the common method of drying the coconuts in the sun, it has adopted an ingenious way of heating the coconuts in a chamber by burning the coconut shells. The quality of the oil thus extracted has been approved by government laboratories, according to Kuriakose Mampilly, president of the association.

The organisation ensures that the coconuts collected are produced without using artificial fertilisers. The extracted oil is bottled and distributed by the self-help groups. The coconut dryers and oil expellers are set up at Pullani, Cheruvathoor, Vaikkom and Angamaly. About 20,000 coconuts could be processed in a month, producing 10 tonnes of coconut oil. But oil is mostly consumed by more than 50,000 families which are members of the self-help groups under it. A technology indigenously developed by the organisation is used to process the husk of the coconut and convert it into coir and coir pith. Bhoovasthra, the environment-friendly coir mesh that has a variety of uses, is also made by the organisation. Bio-fertiliser is produced using a separate technology, according to Sujatha, microbiologist, working at the laboratory at the plant at Pullani. Organic vinegar prepared from coconut water is another product developed by the organisation.

A host of other organic products such as liquid fertiliser made from fish waste, spice drink mix are also made through indigenous technology. This apart, washing soap and washing powder are made using locally available materials including coconut oil. The product range is widening. So is the number of SHGs associated with the organisation. The wide network of families is making a silent revolution in the lives of the people while enriching the rural economy.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu