Mon May 12 03:30:00 UTC 2025: ## IISc’s Challakere Initiative Boosts Rural Economy Through Science and Technology

**Bengaluru, May 12, 2025** – The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is revolutionizing the rural economy of Challakere, Karnataka, through its Science and Engineering for Economic Development (SEED) initiative. For the past three years, SEED has been working with the local community, primarily focusing on improving agriculture and the traditional wool blanket weaving industry, which has been in decline.

Challakere, known for its coarse wool blankets (“Challakere kamblis”), has seen its economy suffer due to several factors including land acquisition for a Science City in 2009, increased fodder costs, and the loss of a significant contract with the Indian Army in 2019. This has disproportionately affected the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities who make up a significant portion of the population.

SEED’s interventions have included:

* **Improving wool processing:** The team introduced a mobile processing centre with modern shearing techniques and developed methods to improve wool quality, aiming to create higher-value products. Research is also underway to utilize wool waste, exploring its keratin content for cosmetic applications and potential use in animal feed.
* **Boosting agriculture:** SEED has collaborated with local farmers and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) to improve ragi and groundnut cultivation and processing, aligning with the government’s “one district one product” scheme.
* **STEM education:** Recognizing the lack of science labs in local schools, SEED launched a hands-on science demonstration program for students, connecting experiments to the school curriculum to increase engagement and parental support.
* **Entrepreneurship support:** SEED is planning a start-up incubation center tailored to the needs of the Challakere community, offering mentorship and financial assistance.

Dr. Amitava Pramanik, Head of SEED, emphasizes the initiative’s focus on empowering underprivileged communities through science and technology. Dr. Priyanka Sachan, Project Coordinator, highlights the importance of understanding local needs and adapting technologies accordingly. The IISc’s multifaceted approach promises a sustainable revival of the Challakere economy, demonstrating the potential of science and technology to transform rural livelihoods.

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