About the Project

The Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Hub for Tribals is an initiative of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar, supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The project focuses on creating inclusive and sustainable development pathways for marginalized ST/SC communities in Odisha, especially in the districts of Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj.

By integrating modern science with indigenous knowledge, the STI Hub acts as a catalyst for improving livelihoods, education, healthcare, agriculture, and entrepreneurship among tribal populations.

Vision & Mission

Vision: To empower tribal communities with the tools of science, technology, and innovation for self-reliance and socio-economic upliftment.
Mission: To establish local hubs that provide training, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship support to ensure sustainable livelihoods, improved health, and better quality of life.

Core Objectives

• Develop Local Infrastructure – Training centers in tribal regions; solar energy, water, and sanitation facilities.
• Promote Skill Development & Employment – Training in food technology, solar products, digital literacy, telemedicine, and entrepreneurship.
• Enhance Agricultural Productivity – Training in organic farming, crop diversification, high-yield varieties of cassava, millets, and sweet potatoes.
• Address Poverty through Financial Inclusion – Microfinance, credit support, and financial literacy programs.
• Healthcare & Indigenous Knowledge – Telemedicine using indigenous herbs, awareness, and wellness camps.

Key Interventions

• Solar Energy & Clean Technologies: Lighting up remote villages.
• Food Technology Innovations: Value addition to cassava, millets, and sweet potatoes.
• Indigenous Telemedicine: Blending traditional herbal knowledge with modern telemedicine.
• Skill Training & Workshops: Hands-on training and entrepreneurship bootcamps.
• Micro-enterprise Development: Linking communities with government schemes and CSR support.

Future Prospects

• Scale the STI Hub to more tribal districts.
• Establish rural start-ups in food processing, renewable energy, and healthcare.
• Create innovation labs combining traditional knowledge with modern science.
• Expand market linkages for tribal products nationally and globally.
• Integrate sustainability goals like renewable energy and climate-smart practices.

Industry Linkages

• Food & Agro-Industry: Commercializing millet, cassava, and sweet potato products.
• Healthcare & Pharma: Partnerships for herbal medicine and telemedicine.
• Renewable Energy: Solar panel manufacturing and assembly units.
• Financial Institutions: Microfinance and digital literacy partnerships.
• CSR & Start-up Ecosystem: Corporate collaborations for tribal entrepreneurs.

Monitoring & Impact Measurement

• Quarterly Reviews: Assess training centers, food processing units, biotech labs, and solar projects.
• Annual Reports: Track skill development, agricultural outputs, and financial schemes.
• Beneficiary Feedback: 100% feedback collected for program improvement.

Why STI Hub Matters

• Bridges the gap between tribal communities and modern science.
• Creates sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
• Empowers women through SHGs and micro-enterprises.
• Promotes food security with millet, cassava, and sweet potato products.
• Strengthens communities with infrastructure and financial inclusion.

Collaborators & Partners

• Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) – Project Anchor
• KIIT-TBI (Technology Business Incubator) – Tech & Entrepreneurship Support
• National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – Innovation Integration
• Local Government & NGOs – Implementation Partners

Get Involved

• Corporate Partnerships – CSR collaborations for technology and training.
• NGO Engagements – Scaling outreach and awareness.
• Research Collaborations – Translating science into innovations.
• Volunteer & Internships – Hands-on field activities.

 

Dr. Rashmi Mohapatra
Principal Investigator

Dr. Snigdharani Panda
Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Umesh Chandra Dash, PhD
Project Co-ordinator

Mr. Soumya Ranjan Mohanty
Project Associate-2

Mr. Jay Prasad Jena
Project Associate-1

Mr. Tatwadarshree Mohapatra
Laboratory Assistant