Department of Rural Technology

Brief information about the Department

Department of Rural Technology was established in 1998 with the objectives to carry out
teaching, research, demonstration, training and extension activities for developing more effective
equipment/tools using appropriate and indigenous technology, skill oriented programme and
knowledge of rural people for overall upliftment of rural artisans and small cottage industries for
sustainable rural development and livelihood improvements.
Presently, the Department runs a two years (4-semesters) course Master’s Degree programme
(M.Sc.) in Rural Technology as well as Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) programmewith the objective
to facilitate appropriate development of science and need based technology for rural community.
In addition to instructional teaching the students also have undergone training in various
technologies relevant to rural development activity. Department has been actively engaged in
research activities on various areas of Sustainable Rural Development through Natural Resource

Management and Watershed Management, Sustainable livelihood improvements through low-
cost appropriate and indigenous Rural Technology such as Mushroom cultivation, Apiculture,

Vermiculture, Organic/Natural farming, Post-harvest management of Fruits & Vegetables,
Protected cultivation, sustainable development through nursery technology of aromatic and
medicinal plants, regional Climate Change & Agro-meteorological study and Low-cost
earthquake resistant housing system, etc.
Students with a Degree in M.Sc. in Rural Technology with the objective of facilitating
appropriate development of science and need-based technology for rural communities enter a
broad range of challenging and rewarding professional careers in National and State Rural
Development, NGOs, Education and Research in both public and private sectors.
The Programme has been framed to provide an understanding and experience of different aspects
of Sustainable Rural Development. It is to provide a holistic perspective of schemes/programmes
of the central govt. in general and state govt. in particular.
 It is innovative, skill and employment-oriented to attract bright students to the discipline of
rural development.
 To serve as a national and regional hub of knowledge connectivity for sustainable rural
development.
 To support developmental plans and policies for rural development by research, training
and demonstration and create functioning packages of social and physical technologies and
economic policy strategies.
 To facilitate the development of techno-managerial cadres needed for rural development.
 To help create special institutional structures and schemes for nurturing the leadership in
regional development/entrepreneurship with a special focus on the hill-specific regions.
 Taking up an advanced Ph.D. course will help one build a career in the product research
and development sector associated with this field.