From India To Africa: A Basket Of Technology To Transform Lives
Africa watchers say there is no need to reinvent the wheel. India and Africa have similar problems and concerns. The solutions have been tried and tested in India and are available to transfer knowledge and experience.
For example, grassroots innovators are leading the way in building frugal technologies in India. These backyard innovations, or locally called the 'jugaad', and value-added by the National Innovation Foundation must be promoted to access international markets.
The science and technology partnership followed from the 2012 India-Africa Science and Technology Ministers Conference. At the end of the two-day meet, the two sides agreed on the need for training of personnel, building academia-industry partnerships, innovative models for funding research and innovation and commercialisation strategies for scientific knowledge.
Rajiv Kumar, who looks after the African programme at DST, says India in consultations with African countries identifies need-based small and medium-scale technologies in select areas for transfer. Thirty-five countries have been identified for involvement for different programmes.
"It's a work-in-progress."
Mitra said Africans were getting exposure to India's experience in agriculture, aqua culture, water management and waste disposal. Traditional medicine is also gaining attention.
Mauritius, which is going ahead with its "Blue Revolution" and has shown interest in learning from Indian experience in farming of aquatic animals and plants -- one of the fastest growing area in the food sector.
Also, Africa offers a testing ground for Indian-designed technologies that can be scaled up for other markets. A good example, some experts say, is a solar-powered cooking stove as wood-burning stoves are responsible for much of Africa's deforestation.
"DST is a facilitator", bringing governments and industries together that will eventually lead to transfer deals, said Mitra. It is partnering with FICCI in promoting collaborations.
The DST is also urging more Africans to come to India, said Mitra. Three hundred and nine researchers from 30 countries have availed themselves of the C V Raman Fellowship to work in Indian R&D labs and academic institutions.
Cooperation is on with the Institute of Mathematics and Physical Sciences in Benin and the Pasteur Institute in Tunis on vaccine research. The astronomy project with South Africa is under consideration.
Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt are also interested to leverage the experience of India in science and technology, and work with Indian institutions.
"Africa is rising. To realize this exciting prospect, the continent needs to invest in skills and higher education, especially science and technology...I think that a partnership with emerging countries is a step in the right direction," said Ritva Reinikka, director for human development in Africa at the World Bank.
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