Sona College to drive government’s S&T initiatives in 2 Salem blocks

The project under the Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) scheme for empowering scheduled caste communities will be executed by the Salem College team by devising technological innovations in cultivation of chrysanthemum and processing of millets with a view to cover 1,000 beneficiaries, including 350 farmers, 450 women and 200 unemployed youth.

The team will design and impart know-how to cut the cost of growing chrysanthemum flowers, extracting chrysanthemum oil from unsold flowers and marketing it. The team would also evangelize the use of coir pith composting technology to enhance yield of chrysanthemum flowers.

Additionally, the team will share methods for value addition of millets-based products while retaining their quality and nutritive value. The team will also train the local unemployed youth to sell millet-based products in the neighbouring villages and towns.

“The project team’s focus while guiding the community in the two blocks will be to help enhance the livelihood of the underserved communities in Salem district,” says Dr B Sathiyabhama, Professor and Head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Sona College of Technology who is spearheading a team of experts.

Chocko Valliappa, Vice Chairman, Sona Group of Institutions said, “Sona College is committing its best resources to ensure success of this project that adheres to the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. The project teams will work towards creating additional income for each participating farming family as well as families of women engaged in millet processing.”

“This project is aligned with our vision to look for ways to uplift the communities around us as a way to give back to society,” he added.

Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs and Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) are schemes initiated by the Department of Science and Technology to empower Scheduled Caste population through Science and Technology under SEED.

A 5,000 sq ft Science, Technology & Innovation hub, to be set up under the project, will focus on conducting outreach programmes, developing STI solutions, mounting small-scale rural and social enterprises, providing technical capacity building, and networking with the Government, NGOs, Farmers Producers Organisations as well as Self Help Groups.