An NGO Research Institute dedicates itself for Sustainable Rural Development; carries out breakthrough research : NARI,Phaltan,India

To Indi Proff!!!

"Thank you for spreading the word around. We are a small rural NGO and hence spreading the word around by well wishers like you helps."
Anil K Rajvanshi, Ph.D.
Director
Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI)


There is never a barrier if we want to do some things in life. Here is a similar example of  research institute cum NGO in India which is striving for sustainable rural development.It is also a wonderful example of  commitment by a person of great character and sacrifice, Anil K. Rajvanshi.He is one of those Indian's who left a very lucrative career in U.S. to come and work for rural development in India(find more about him at the end of the article). Under his esteemed guidance NARI recieved high accolades for its award winning research work on developing a low grade ethanol lantern. This project won the prestigious Globe Award which was given by HRH Crown Princess Victoria on 3 June 2009 in a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden.This lantern can be used in a two way manner- cooking as well as lighting for the rural household. These lanterns are environmental friendly and also produceds light equivalent to a 100 watt bulb. More can be know from about the insittutes research from the following list of achievements on renewable energy:

- NARI has pioneered the development of an extremely efficient multifuel lantern called Noorie for rural areas. The pressurized mantle lantern produces light output equivalent to that from a 100 W light bulb and can run on ethanol, diesel and kerosene. Presently the work is going on in running a modified lantern on a very safe mixture of 50% (w/w) ethanol-water. These lanterns have been test marketed in India, Europe and USA.

- Complete technology for producing ethanol from sweet sorghum has been developed. A number of high ethanol yielding varieties have been produced. A pilot plant capable of producing huge amount of ethanol using only solar energy for distillation was set up at NARI.

- NARI has developed a stove running on 50% (w/w) and more ethanol/water concentration. This stove can be very useful for rural areas where low grade ethanol can be easily distilled. This low grade ethanol/water mixture is a very safe fuel for cooking. Recently an article has been written regarding the policy issues of using ethanol as a cooking and lighting fuel for rural households.

- NARI has pioneered the program of Energy Self Sufficient Talukas. This was the concept proposed by the Dr. A. K. Rajvanshi the Director of NARI and was the basis of National policy and program implemented by Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES), Govt. of India, New Delhi. Consequently 35-40 biomass based power plants have been financed by IREDA all over the country. Recently this concept has been further extended to include food and energy security. Hence in an article it has been shown that Taluka's can provide critical mass for India's development.

- A new concept of sustainable development based on Gandhian principles has been mooted. It is shown that the old saying "simple living and high thinking" may show a new pathway of sustainable development for developing countries. Consequently NARI is trying to establish a center for sustainable development in which most of the ideas and technologies developed in the Institute will be taught to the participants.

- Recently NARI has pioneered a concept of microutility for villages. This concept has been taken up by Maharashtra Electricty Regulatory Commission (MERC) and will be implemented as a part of new rural energy policy in Maharshtra so that power for all could be provided. This concept has been further extended to provide for electricty and water simultaneously in rural areas. Another concept for using biogas based microutilities have also been promoted.

- NARI has pioneered the development of technology for gasification of loose leafy biomass fuels like sugarcane leaves and bagasse, sweet sorghum stalks and bagasse, different types of grasses etc. A 500 kW (thermal) gasifier has been successfully tested in an actual user-industry in India. The gasification technology for thermal applications is ready for commercialization.

- A novel technology to increase survival of tree seedlings in arid regions has been developed. Solar energy is used to collect water from soil, which is then fed to the seedlings. Data for the last 5 years has shown 100% seedling survival. NARI is on the lookout for interested agencies/NGOs who can take this up on a large scale.

- NARI has developed technology for solar detoxification of distillery waste using photocatalysts. The obnoxious distillery waste is made odorless and completely colorless. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) is also reduced drastically. Efforts are underway to set up a pilot scale plant for treating 100 l/day of diluted effluent

- NARI has developed technologies for production of fresh water from sea and dew. Interesting concept of large-scale desalination of seawater has been developed. Similarly a concept of condensing dew for fresh water supply has also been developed.

- NARI has pioneered the development of electric and improved cycle rickshaws. Consequently three rickshaws have been developed: a) improved cycle rickshaws with five speed gears, back wheel braking and better suspension b) motor assisted cycle rickshaws (MAPRA) where a small PMDC motor powered by batteries helps the rickshaw puller to go over slopes and take load easily and c) completely battery driven rickshaw which can take two passengers at 30 Km/hr. In one battery charge this rickshaw can travel 80 Km distance. Efforts are on to market these rickshaws.

- NARI has developed a motor assisted and hand operated rickshaw for physically handicapped persons. It is christened as MANHARA. It can carry one person to 20 km in one battery charge and at speeds of 8-10 km/hr. MANHARA is undergoing testing and evaluation.

- Recently a policy paper has been written on the whole issue of cooking and lighting R&D strategy for India. Also another publication discusses the issue of rural development for the poor. Similarly a lead editorial article in Times of India was published on the issue of making farms produce energy. NARI scientists also presented a thematic paper on the strategy for biofuels at a recently held National Conference on Oilseeds.


- NARI has recently published a paper on the use of nanotechnology for rural development. It is shown in the paper that use of high technology can accelerate the rural development. This is a novel concept which is being taken up by various organizations world over. NARI's paper on cooking and lighting energy R&D strategy was the forerunner of this concept and formed the basis of how R&D should be conducted for rural development.

- After the recent Tsunami tragedy in southern India, NARI was requested to provide inputs on possible technologies for disaster management. Consequently a short note on these technologies have been prepared. This has elicited favourable response from media and government.


The list of achievements is unending and they are actively carrying out research in the fields of agriculture, renewable energy and Animal Husbandry.

The institute looks for volunteers who can work as research trainees and also encourages people to join the institute.(institute has a MOU with University of Florida to take interns in engineering)
for more information: http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/about_work.php

The institute accepts donations and cotributions both in cash and kind.The Institute has a Tax exempt status under Section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act which results in contributions and donations to the Institute being 100-125% tax deductible (100% for individuals and 125% for companies). NARI is also registered under Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act and hence can accept foreign donations.

For making a Donation visit : http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/donation_main.php


About the Director Dr.Rajvanshi
After obtaining B.Tech. and M.Tech. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from I.I.T. Kanpur in early 1970’s, Dr. Rajvanshi went to USA to pursue a Ph.D. degree at the University of Florida in Gainesville, U.S.A. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 1979 with specialization in solar energy and then taught at the University of Florida for two and half years before returning to India in 1981 to join NARI.After which he nurtured the institute to the present structure.He has more than 160 publications, some of them in prestigious national and international journals, seven patents, three chapters in books and two books (one on spirituality and other on his experiences as a student in 1970s in US) for more on his achivements refer to http://education.vsnl.com/nimbkar/biodata.html

Indi Proff
http://indiproff.blogspot.com/
http://junctiont.blogspot.com/

Old posts by Indi Proff on NARI: http://indiproff.blogspot.com/2009/06/know-about-nimbkar-agricultural.html