Special features of the organization
Integrated Rural Technology Centre (IRTC) is a Research, Development and Extension centre, working with the objectives of developing and disseminating appropriate technologies for Sustainable Rural Development, creating employment and improving the quality of life of the rural people through application of science and technology. , , It was set up in 1987, by Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP),with the support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. Of India and Kerala State Council for Science Technology Environment (KSCSTE), Government of Kerala. Presently IRTC is provided core support grant by DST, Govt.of India. , , During the last two and half decades, IRTC has taken up more than 150 research projects in diverse areas like energy, rural technology, education, health, environment, agriculture and allied areas, resource based local level planning and also imparting training in various livelihood support activities (soap making, mushroom cultivation, ceramic ornament making, mural work, decoupage etc). It has contact with almost all the R&D institutions in the state and many outside Kerala too. IRTC, through its mother organization KSSP,is also a part of the All India Peoples Science Network (AIPSN).More than 500 LSGIs in the State had availed the technical or consultancy support of IRTC for various sustainable development activities. , , IRTC has three categories of full time S&T personnel a) senior faculty, who are either retired from other services or on deputation b) middle level faculty, with experience and expertise in project/research management and c) junior staff fresh from colleges. Apart from these, there are subject experts/consultants who interact/contribute to the various S&T activities on a regular basis. , IRTC campus is situated in a rural setting with cost effective constructions and simple community living. There are laboratories, field stations, experimental unit for energy, waste disposal, watershed programs, hostel facility for staff and students. It has a campus of about 3.54 hectares and 4620m2 of built up area including office block, civil engineering block Microbiology, chemistry & Environmental laboratories, Electronics lab, Soap production unit, Mushroom production center, Rabbit rearing unit, Mechanical workshop, Aqua culture lab and ponds, Mess hall & Kitchen, Library & Auditorium, air conditioned lecture/ seminar hall, IRTC is having a new Jubilee Campus, with facilities like an emporium, training and extension centre. Students from different disciplines were using our academic as well as physical facilities for doing their project work and internship. , , Further IRTC is an agency accredited by Govt. Of Kerala for the preparation of Panchayat level resource maps, power line mapping and in the implementation of watershed development, Rain Water harvesting, and solid waste management. , Major Areas of Activties , 1-ENERGY SECTOR , a-Development of hot box , b-Development of improved chulahs , c-Small and mini hydel projects , d-Energy Audit , e-Installation of solar power plants , f-Biomass gasifier , 2-RURAL TECHNOLOGIES , a-Soap mold making , b-Handmade soaps and other toiletry items , c-Value addition terracotta , d-Fabrication of Electric potter wheel , e-Fabrication of clay pugging machines , f-Technology services to local bodies , 3-NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT , a-Panchayath resource mapping , b-Watershed master plan preparation , c-Digitization of spacial data(GIS) , d-Roof water harvesting , e-Watershed development , 4-EXTENSION AND TRAINING , a- Soap and toiletries , b-Ornamental fish farming , c-Decoupage , d-Mushroom farming , e-Micro-enterprises management , 5-SANITATION AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT , a-Vermi and windrow composting , b-Toilet linked biogas plants , c-Municipal solid waste management , d-Construction of domestic and community level biogas plants , e-Water quality analysis
