GITAM receives grant worth Rs 3.65Cr from DST to Set Up Four Science & Technology Hubs in Andhra Pradesh

GITAM (Deemed to be University) has launched a pioneering initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the local Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in selected villages of Andhra Pradesh. Through the establishment of four Science Technology and Innovation Hubs (GITAM STI Hubs), the university seeks to combine academic research and community service to create a platform that fosters entrepreneurship and empowers tribal youth, ultimately leading to a significant enhancement in their overall lifestyle.

Funded by the Government of India's Ministry of Science and Technology and executed under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), these STI Hubs are the first of their kind in the Paderu and Araku Valley Mandals. Currently, a field survey is underway to identify and enroll the target beneficiaries for the project, which is expected to run for three years until March 31, 2026. This collaborative effort involves GITAM STI, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR-KVK), Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA), National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Girijan Co-Operative Corporation (GCC), and several local NGOs.

Dr. I. Sarat Babu, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator from the Department of Biotechnology at GITAM School of Technology, along with a team of researchers at the Science Technology and Innovation Hub of GITAM, have raised a funding of Rs 3.65 crore for a project aimed at uplifting the socio-economic status of the tribal population by establishing a revenue-generating model. Leading the team are co-investigators Dr. Raja Phani Pappu, Director of the Department of Research & Consultancy, and Dr. P. Manjushree, Professor at GITAM School of Business.

Founded in 1980 by a group of intellectuals and industrialists of Andhra Pradesh led by Dr. M. V. V. S. Murthi, GITAM is a renowned educational institution with campuses in Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The university encompasses 12 schools, offering a total of 112 undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as a Ph.D. program.

The overarching objective of the STI Hub is to improve the livelihoods of small and marginalized tribal communities by facilitating skill development through the formation of 2 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and 20 Self Help Groups (SHGs), benefiting 1,000 individuals. It also aims to create value chains through Science and Technology Interventions and develop social enterprises, thereby enhancing the physical and human capital of selected beneficiaries and improving the health and nutritional status of the tribal population.

To operate within the framework of the Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division, four business units will be established, each focusing on economic enterprises such as Niger Seed Oil Mill Units, Honey Processing Units, Solar-Based Cold Storage Units, and Vegetable Processing Units for various vegetables including broccoli, cucumber, and ginger.

Operating under a "Hub and Spoke Model," the main hub will be located in Paderu (district headquarters), while 12 identified villages in the Paderu and Araku Valley Mandals will act as spokes. The hubs are equipped with Niger seed oil Processing Units, Honey Processing Units, Solar-based Cold Storage Units, Vegetable Processing Units, as well as Quality Assurance and Quality Control Laboratories for honey and Niger oil, along with training centers.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Raja Pappu said, “The tribal communities have long faced socio-economic challenges that hindered their growth and progress. However, GITAM (Deemed to be) University has recognized the immense potential hidden within these communities, and is leading the initiative to provide them with the tools, resources, and knowledge necessary for self-sustenance and success.”

Speaking about the novelty of the project Dr. Babu added, “The GITAM STI Hubs go beyond the traditional boundaries of academic research by directly engaging with the tribal communities and uplift their socio-economic conditions. Professors, researchers, and students from diverse fields collaborate closely with the local inhabitants, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. By leveraging their expertise, the university creates an environment that fosters innovation, problem-solving, and skill development, tailored specifically to the needs and aspirations of the tribal population.”

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