NIF has a large database of over 315,000 technological ideas, innovations and traditional knowledge, including proprietary, open source and common public knowledge. While the percentage of proprietary traditional knowledge (individual or community) and innovations where NIF has filed patents in the names of the individuals or communities is quite low, much knowledge is available (common or open source), which can be disseminated without any IP considerations. Social diffusion may be defined in context of physical introduction of innovation (machinery, herbal products or improved plant variety seeds) in relevant areas among identified beneficiaries either directly or through a partner.

The Dissemination and Social Diffusion (DSD) department works in close coordination with the S&D, VARD and BD departments. The specific tasks undertaken to further dissemination activities include coordination of publication activities of NIF online as well as in print and developing content for newsletters, books, compendiums, posters, CDs, kiosks, websites etc. NIF also participates in workshops, seminars, exhibitions and various events like India International Trade Fair, Indian Science Congress, India International Science Fair, etc. for the purpose. It also facilitates demonstration of technologies for their possible uptake by relevant stake holders. Establishing linkages with other institutions and networks for dissemination and/or social diffusion is also one of the important activities of NIF.

Such activities are being actively taken up all across the country particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, the North Eastern States and in other remote/ backward/ tribal regions.

 

Grassroots Innovations


NIF team undertakes activities related to diffusion of grassroots innovations all across the country with special emphasis in tribal, backward and far flung areas of the country. A large number of useful innovations viz. natural water cooler, coconut tree climber, multi-tree climber, hand operated pump, paddy husk stove, multipurpose tool, head load reducing device, mileage enhancer, bicycle hoe cum spade, fruit nipper, cow dung pot making machine, cow dung log making machine, seed cum fertiliser dibbler, egg incubator, multi-purpose drier among others have been diffused across a large number of states and Union Territories including Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. Many innovations are fabricated locally so that people can improvise them to suit local conditions. Innovations like Sanitary Napkin Making Machine, Multi- purpose Processing Machine, Incense Stick Making Machine, Incense Stick Rolling Machine, which provide livelihood opportunities were diffused across many states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya.

NIF has also facilitated the diffusion of a large number of farmers' developed improved crop varieties viz. paddy, wheat, pigeon pea, mustard, carrot, apple, mango, brinjal, cauliflower, onion and others through a network of thousands of farmers across the country.

Apple diffusion


In the last five years NIF has facilitated transplantation of about 20,000 saplings of HRMN 99 apple variety (suitable for plains, tropical and subtropical areas) of Shri Hariman Sharma, Himachal Pradesh at over 1500 farmers' field and 25 organizations in 30 states including at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. Fruiting has been observed in 23 states including Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar.

Ectoparasite


Control of tick infestation by pooling best traditional knowledge based practices - Providing low cost solution to livestock keepers for their economic benefit 

Tick is one of the major problems affecting livestock. Standardized composition of neem (Azadirachta indica) and monks pepper (Vitex negundo) had demonstrated 100 per cent acaricide property within 48 hours of treatment. Re-infestation was not noticed for a period of 29 days post treatment. A nationwide campaign was mounted to provide this low cost technology to the people and demonstrations were organized in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Haryana. More areas are being covered.

Farmers Field School


Farmers' field schools on Traditional Knowledge Based Insect-Pest Management: In order to reduce the burden of chemicals in agriculture, training of farmers to use locally available bio-resources for insect-pest management in different crops is organized in different states of the country. In one such recent series of field schools across different districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur and West Bengal, one-on-one interaction with over 500 farmers was undertaken. The farmers were made aware of the various plants locally available that can be used in preparing herbal formulations for control of different pests.

Projects


S. No.

Name of innovator/ organisation

Dissemination and Social Diffusion Projects

Financial Year

Duration

1

North-Eastern Hill University (Central University)
Tura Campus, Tura, Chasingre, Meghalaya

Dissemination of Nine Farmers’ Varieties of Different Crops Identified by NIF-India in Meghalaya for Societal Development

2020-21

Two Years

2

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, J&K

Evaluation and Popularisation of NIF-India identified eleven high yielding farmers’ varieties of different crops in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir

2020-21

Two Years

3

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, (CENDECT) Theni, Tamil Nadu

Dissemination of the grassroots innovations (Fruits and Vegetable Capper, Fruits Nipper, Portable Energy Efficient Wood Stove, Tamarind de-seeder Machine, Efficient stove using paddy husk as a fuel) for the upliftment of socio-economically weaker section of Theni districts 

2020-21

One Year

4

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Sultanpur-I, Sultanpur distt., Uttar Pradesh

Dissemination of Grassroots Technological Innovations (9 plant variety and Sugarcane Budchipper) and Outstanding Herbal Practices in the field of Agriculture and Veterinary in Sultanpur Area of Uttar Pradesh

2019-20

One Year

5

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, (CENDECT), Theni, Tamil Nadu

Dissemination of farmer’s varieties (onion- Sona 40, Brinjal- HZKB-1, Guava- G-Vilas Pasand) under Tamil Nadu conditions.

2019-20

One Year

6

Darjeeling Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kalimpong,
Darjeeling, West Bengal

Organisation of State Level Innovative Farmers Meet at Kalimpong, West Bengal

2018-19

One Year

7

Grambharti Vidyapeeth, Gandhinagar

Gramshala – Promotion of ITK based practices for organic farming and imparting training to farmers and students

2018-19

One Year

8

Innovator Sheikh Afzal’s SA enterprises, Maharashtra

Sanitary napkin making machines (2), raw materials and transportation in Nagaland

2018-19

One year

9

Innovator Arvindbhai Patel’s Notion Technocrat, Gujarat

Natural Water Cooler in Tribal/ Backward Areas – Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal

2018-19

One year

10

Innovator Arvindbhai Patel’s Notion Technocrat, Gujarat

Natural Water Cooler in North Bengal and South Sikkim

2018-19

One year

11

Department of Science, Technology and Climate Change, Sikkim/ Innovator Seikh Afzal, SA Enterprises

Diffusion of rural egg incubators (4) in Sikkim

2018-19

One year

12

Department of Science, Technology and Climate Change, Sikkim/ Innovator Seikh Afzal, SA Enterprises

Sanitary napkin making machines (4), raw materials and transportation in Sikkim

2018-19

One year

13

State Council of Science, Technology and Environment, Meghalaya/ Innovator G Ratnakar

Installation of water turbines (3) in Meghalaya

2018-19

One year

14

Innovator Sheikh Afzal’s SA enterprises, Maharashtra

Sanitary napkin making machine, raw materials and transportation in Chhattisgarh

2018-19

One year

15

Sarjan Innovations

Diffusion of Swatchta Cart in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha

2018-19

One year

16

Innovator Paresh Panchal’s firm – Dolphin Engimech, Gujarat

Incense stick machines for Odisha and Jharkhand

2018-19

One year

17

Innovator Paresh Panchal’s firm – Dolphin Engimech, Gujarat

Diffusion of cow dung pot making machines in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha

2018-19

One year

18

Innovator DN Venkat’s RTechAgri

Diffusion of Multi - Tree climbers

2018-19

One year

19

Innovator Nripen Kalita, Assam

Diffusion of Portable Muga and Eri Reeling Machine

2018-19

One year

20

Innovator Madhav Mahajan, Maharashtra

Diffusion of fruit nipper

2018-19

One year

21

Innovator Manihar Sharma, Manipur

Diffusion of solar multi muga silk reeling machine

2018-19

One year

22

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (CIFA), Bhubaneshwar, Odisha,

Organisation of State Level Innovative Farmers Meet at CIFA, Bhubaneshwar

2017-18

One Year

23

Bhartya KVK, Fatehpur (Sikar), Rajasthan

Organisation of State Level Innovative Farmers Meet at Sikar, Rajasthan

2017-18

One Year

24

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, (CENDECT), Theni, Tamil Nadu

Organisation of State Level Innovative Farmers Meet at Theni, Tamil Nadu

2017-18

One Year

25

Innovator Mohd Rafiq, J&K

Dissemination of multipurpose tool

2017-18

One Year

26

Fabricator Jignesh Rehab

Dissemination of head load reducing device

2017-18

One year

27

Innovator’s firm Francis MJ, Kerala

Tree climbers for diffusion in Andaman and Nicobar

2017-18

Six Months

28

Innovator Milan Jyoti Das, Assam

Egg Incubator and Multipurpose drier for Arunachal Pradesh

2017-18

Six Months

29

Innovator Paresh Panchal’s firm – Dolphin Engimech, Gujarat

Incense stick machines for Dasna Prison

2017-18

One Year

30

Palle Srujuna, Secunderabad

For Science Express activity

2017-18

Six Months

31

Innovator Paresh Panchal’s firm – Dolphin Engimech, Gujarat

Incense stick machines for NE

2017-18

One Year

32

Innovator Bhabesh Das, Assam

Fabrication of innovations for NER

2017-18

Six Months

33

SRISTI Innovations, Gujarat

Diffusion of herbal products in NER

2017-18

One Year

34

Palle Srujuna, Telangana

Innovation Diffusion Centre

2017-18

One Year

35

Innovator Kissan Dharambir, Haryana

Multipurpose Processing machines in NE

2017-18

One Year

36

Innovator Sheikh Afzal’s SA enterprises, Maharashtra

Sanitary napkin making machine, raw materials and transportation in NER

2017-18

One Year

37

Innovator Sheikh Afzal’s SA enterprises, Maharashtra

Sanitary napkin making machine, raw materials and transportation in Eastern India

2017-18

One Year

38

Social Upliftment Trust, Jharkhand

Diffusion activities in Jharkhand

2017-18

One Year

39

State Council of Science, Technology and Environment, Meghalaya

Diffusion of veterinary practices

2017-18

One Year

40

Innovator M Deben Singh, Manipur

Stove cum drier

2017-18

Three Months

41

Innovator L Ralte, Mizoram

Arecanut Polisher

2017-18

One Year

42

Innovator Milanjyoti Das, Assam

2-in-1 drier cum egg incubator machine

2017-18

Three Months

43

GIAN West, Gujarat

Mobile exhibition

2017-18

One Year

44

GIAN West, Gujarat

Diffusion of plant varieties in Gujarat

2017-18

One Year

45

GIAN West, Gujarat

Participatory design of innovations

2017-18

One Year

46

GIAN West, Gujarat

Diffusion of herbal veterinary practices in Gujarat and Maharashtra

2017-18

One Year

47

GIAN West, Gujarat

Diffusion of Innovations in Gujarat and Maharashtra

2017-18

One Year

48

NIF Cell J&K

Diffusion of innovations

2017-18

One Year

49

Sarjan Innovations, Gujarat

Waste picker machine

2017-18

One Year

50

Innovator Mansukhbhai’s Mitticool Clay Creation, Gujarat

Innovative Clay products for Meghalaya

2017-18

Six Months

51

Innovator Kissan Dharambir, Haryana

Multipurpose Processing machine in A&N

2017-18

One Year

52

Innovator Kissan Dharambir, Haryana

Multipurpose Processing machines in Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

53

Innovator DN Venkat’s RTechAgri

Tree climbers for Andaman and Nicobar

2017-18

One Year

54

State Council of Science, Technology and Environment, Meghalaya

Capacity building of potters

2017-18

One Year

55

Innovator Sheikh Afzal’s SA enterprises, Maharashtra

Sanitary napkin machines for Andaman and Majuli, Assam

2017-18

One Year

56

Innovator Arvindbhai Patel’s Notion Technocrat, Gujarat

Natural Water Cooler in Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

57

Innovator M Manihar Sharma, Manipur

Diffusion of solar silk reeler in Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

58

Innovator Milanjyoti Das, Assam

Diffusion of egg incubators in Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

59

Innovator Paresh Panchal’s Bonobo Innovative Products

Diffusion of pot making machines in Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

60

Innovator Paresh Panchal’s Dolphin Enigmatic

Diffusion of incense making machines in Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

61

Innovator Sheikh Afzal’s SA enterprises, Maharashtra

Diffusion of Sanitary napkin machines for Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

62

Innovator Sheikh Afzal’s SA enterprises, Maharashtra

Raw material for Sanitary napkin machines for Meghalaya

2017-18

One Year

63

Innovator DN Venkat’s RTech Agri

Tree climbers for North East

2017-18

Six Months

64

Innovator’s firm Francis MJ, Kerala

Tree climbers for diffusion in North East

2017-18

Six Months

65

Innovator Hari Narayan Prajapati, Rajasthan

Mileage enhancer device for North East

2017-18

Six Months

66

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Davangere, Karnataka

Organisation of State Level Innovative Farmers Meet at Davangere Karnataka

2016-17

One Year

67

Innovator Arvindbhai Patel’s Notion Technocrat, Gujarat

Natural Water Cooler in Odisha and Chhattisgarh

2016-17

One Year

68

Innovator Paresh Panchal’s firm – Dolphin Engimech, Gujarat

Incense stick machines in Odisha and Chhattisgarh

2016-17

One Year

69

SEVA, Madurai

Diffusion of Innovations along Shodh Yatra route

2016-17

One Year

70

Innovator Kissan Dharambir, Haryana

Multipurpose Processing machine in Sikkim

2016-17

Six Months

71

Innovator Lalbikzuala Ralte

Bamboo stick making machines for NE

2016-17

One Year

72

Innovator Arvindbhai Patel’s Notion Technocrat, Gujarat

Natural Water Cooler in NER

2016-17

One Year

73

GIAN West, Gujarat

Diffusion of BIBA Shelling machine in Maharashtra – first installment

2015-16

One Year

74

GIAN West, Gujarat

Capacity building of Dhanuka Community

2015-16

One Year

75

GIAN West, Gujarat

Diffusion of herbal veterinary practices

2015-16

One Year

76

GIAN West, Gujarat

Diffusion of herbal practices

2015-16

One Year

77

GIAN West, Gujarat

Diffusion of cotton wick making machine in UP & Gujarat

   

78

Innovators Vijaybhai and Dipakbhai, Gujarat

Diffusion of cotton wick making machine in Pilibhit

2015-16

Three Months

79

Innovator Arvindbhai Patel

Natural Water cooler in Ahmedabad

2015-16

Three Months

80

Palle Srujuna, Telangana

Innovation Diffusion Centre

2015-16

One Year

81

Palle Srujuna, Telangana

Science Express activity in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

2015-16

Six Months

82

Innovator Kissan Dharambir, Haryana

Multipurpose Processing machine in Manipur

2014-15

One Year

83

Innovator Arvindbhai Patel’s Notion Technocrat, Gujarat

Natural Water Coolers in Grambharti

2013-14

One Year

84

IP India Robotics, Haryana

Mobile Operated switches

2013-14

One Year

85

GIAN Cell J&K, Jammu and Kashmir

Diffusion of Grassroots Innovations

2012-13

One Year

86

GIAN North, Rajasthan

Crutches with spring/shock absorbers in Rajasthan

2012-13

One Year

87

GIAN North, Rajasthan

Multipurpose Processing Machine in West UP

2012-13

One Year

88

GIAN North, Rajasthan

Biomass Gassifier in Rajasthan

2012-13

One Year

89

GIAN North, Rajasthan

Natural Water Cooler in Rajasthan

2012-13

One Year

90

Innoaction India, Kerala

Diffusion of grassroots innovations

2012-13

One Year

91

GIAN West, Gujarat

Par boiled paddy spreader

2012-13

One Year

92

GIAN West, Gujarat

Poultry raking machine

2012-13

One Year

93

GIAN West, Gujarat

Low cost Windmill

2012-13

One Year

94

GIAN West, Gujarat

Crutches with spring/shock absorbers

2012-13

One Year

95

Palle Srujuna, Telangana

Innovation Diffusion Centre

2012-13

One Year

Expression of Interest


Expression of Interest (EOI) from Institutions/ Organisations/ Community based groups/Entrepreneurs

For facilitating dissemination and social diffusion of Grassroots Technological Innovations, Innovative Agricultural Practices and Outstanding Herbal Knowledge

National Innovation Foundation- India (NIF), an autonomous body of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, invites Expression of Interest (EOI) from Indian Institutions/ Organisations/ Community based groups/ Entrepreneurs for facilitating Dissemination and Social Diffusion of Grassroots Technological Innovations, Innovative Agricultural Practices and Outstanding Herbal Knowledge in different regions of the country. In order to penetrate deeper into the hinterlands and engage more individuals and communities at the grassroots, NIF is looking for partners across the country especially in far-flung, backward and tribal regions of the country.

Eligibility criteria

Registered Institutions/ Organisations/ Community based groups/ Entrepreneurs with an experience of science, technology, innovation based dissemination/outreach or any other activity of similar nature.

Screening Criteria

The applicant should have demonstrable competency in undertaking same/similar activities as evident through projects undertaken and credentials of core team members. The applicants with no related experience, those sharing incomplete or incorrect information, or those lacking demonstrable output, as reflected in documents shared with us, will not be considered.

Process

The interested applicants can submit their expression along with the details of relevant work done/activities undertaken. The EoI should indicate the innovation(s)* (available on NIF's website) relevant for introduction in the area of operation of institution/organisation and how the institution/organisation proposes to utilise it in its area.

*current thrust areas - livelihood generation through promotion of herbal colours for toys and other artefacts, products from banana fibre, innovative pottery products and sola wood artefacts

All the EoIs will be reviewed by the external Experts/ Review Committee and those with clear objectives and deliverables will be selected. The same can be sent by e-mail to nitin@nifindia.org or by post to the address mentioned below.

Dr Nitin Maurya

Senior Innovation Officer

National Innovation Foundation - India

Amrapur, Gandhinagar-Mahudi Road

Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382650

GTIAF


Expanding the public domain: Many technologies may take long time to blossom into products or services. In some cases, they may not have much future impact, except in the specific context in which they originated, unless they are blended with other technologies from the formal or informal sectors. Some technologies may not have much commercial potential at all, but be open to social diffusion. The GTIAF addresses such needs. NIF acquires the rights to such technologies, which are then licensed at low or no cost to small entrepreneurs. Some of these technologies enter the public domain and are transmitted to communities whose members make use of them. The idea here is that the state and not innovators should subsidize society. Though NIF acquires the rights to a given technology, innovators still retain their right to use their innovations in any way they want at their level. If the NIF is able to license it to third party for a higher sum or generate more revenue, these funds are shared with the innovators even though they have licensed the rights. Volunteers can contribute to pooling technologies to generate value-added products, use social media to create wider awareness and translate non-monetary practices into local languages. NIF organised two GTIAF meetings in February and March 2012 inviting different innovators and farmers to explain them the purpose of the fund, rights, and the duties and obligations of both NIF and the innovators. Subsequently, the innovators willing to hand over the rights of their technologies to NIF signed agreement with it. In total NIF has acquired rights of seventy eight technologies of fifty eight innovators from fourteen states at the cost of Rs thirty five lakh fifty thousand. Plans are being chalked out for social diffusion/dissemination of these technologies in relevant pockets of the country.