VEERA PRUDHVIRAJ TULABANDULA PRABU T NIKHIL SARODE GRASS ROOTS INNOVATION

Since grass roots innovators are common people, they are more in touch with the actual needs of the people. Practical problems require practical solutions which can be more easily found in the field than in a lab. Externally developed technologies are often not relevant and uptake of these is frequently poor. The cost of such failed technologies may be enormous compared to the benefit from the successful ones. Huge gap in innovations ;beneficial to the people but are not profitable for corporates. Hence, they need to be developed by the people. “Necessity is the mother of invention!” Why grass roots innovation is necessary?

Relevance in the Indian context Indian rural market is one of the biggest in the world with 6,00,000 villages and 11 crore households and over 70 crore people. Yet, the needs of these people have been neglected largely so far. India’s spend on R&D as percentage of its GDP is one of the lowest in the world. (Fig 1) The number of people engaged in science and research(engineering and science graduates) is also on lower side in India compared to rest of the world.(Fig 1)

Grass roots Innovation in India-Present state Multiple organizations like National Innovation Foundation(NIF) involved in encouraging grass root innovations and their commercialization. Few corporate houses like Future group have been involved in taking these products to the end customers. State support non existent at present to such ventures.

Suggested framework to aid Innovation Grass root Innovation Financial Support Incubation Support Patent Support Commerciali zation Support

Financial Support Incubation Support Create a state supported body with an independent panel of experts and officials. Allot annual funds from the central budget. Bank loans at lower interests to aid such innovators. Create cells in technical & science institutes that offer hand holding & technical support in experimental stage. Create central database of solutions to improve on existing solutions.

Patent Support Commercialization Support Streamline and simplify patent filing and recognition procedures. Strengthen patent protection to avoid exploitation by corporates. Link innovators with corporates to ensure delivery to end customers. Provide tax breaks to manufacturers. Subsidize the product’s price to encourage buying.

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