TNSCST Empowers SC/ST Communities in Tamil Nadu with Science-Driven Livelihoods
TNSCST empowers SC/ST communities with innovative training.
The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) is revolutionizing livelihoods for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities across nine underdeveloped districts, including Theni, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Tiruvannamalai. Through a dynamic project, TNSCST has mapped income and employment gaps, deploying science and technology-driven solutions to empower rural households with sustainable earning opportunities.
Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative data gathered through random sampling and structured interviews, TNSCST identified barriers like unstable income and limited resource access. Tailored interventions followed: in Ramanathapuram, fishing communities hit by seasonal unemployment learned to produce value-added fish products and artificial pearls, with cold storage units installed to boost income. In Theni and Dindigul, agricultural workers received training in dairy farming, poultry rearing, and biopesticide production to combat low wages.
Tribal communities in Kodaikanal’s hills were introduced to beekeeping and wild garlic processing, while Villupuram and Kallakurichi residents learned millet-based food processing and drought-resistant farming. To tackle unemployment among educated youth and women, TNSCST offered courses in electronics servicing, desktop publishing, tailoring, embroidery, and traditional crafts, fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
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Initially planning 20 training programs for 500 beneficiaries, TNSCST expanded to 78 sessions, reaching 2,294 individuals due to overwhelming demand. “This two-year project is delivering real results and will continue to uplift SC/ST communities through skill development and local resource-based entrepreneurship,” said S Vincent, TNSCST’s member secretary.
Collaborating with local higher educational institutions, TNSCST ensures effective implementation. By blending innovation with tradition, the initiative is transforming lives, equipping SC/ST families with the tools to thrive in a competitive economy while honoring Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage.
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