The KISS Science and Technology Innovation (STI) Hub for Tribals, at KISS-DU, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, organized a three-day Awareness and Training Program on “Empowering Tribal Communities through Science and Technology”. It was organized at Nayakote Panchayat, Banspal Block, Keonjhar District, from 23rd to 25th October 2025. The program aimed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihood opportunities among tribal communities by integrating indigenous knowledge with modern scientific approaches.
The KISS STI Hub for Tribals is an initiative designed to empower tribal communities through the promotion of science, technology, and innovation-driven livelihoods. Recognizing the rich indigenous knowledge systems inherent in tribal societies, the project seeks to bridge traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific applications to achieve holistic and sustainable socio-economic development. In line with these objectives, a three-day field-based training and awareness program was organized to sensitize and equip tribal beneficiaries with practical knowledge in vermicomposting, compost technology, and value-added product development from tubers, cassava, and millets. In an endeavour to connect with the community, the KISS STI Hub team worked at the grassroot level with a total of 58 beneficiaries participating in the program, representing various self-help groups, local farmers, and youth from nearby tribal villages. The sessions combined theoretical instruction, practical demonstrations, and interactive discussions facilitated by experts from the KISS STI Hub team.
The KISS STI Hub for Tribals training program at Nayakote Panchayat demonstrated how grassroots innovation, when supported by science and technology, can catalyze meaningful socio-economic transformation. By empowering tribal communities with practical skills and entrepreneurial insights, the initiative contributes to building resilient, self-sustaining rural economies aligned with the goals of inclusive national development. KISS-DU as an institution since its inception has been relentlessly working on empowering indigenous communities through vocational training, entrepreneurial activities and guidance for start-ups.
