Centre of Science for Villages (CSV) started functioning in 1976 by its founder Chairman and Director Late Dr. Devendra Kumar from the premises of Maganwadi in Wardha from where Mahatma Gandhi began the “All India Village Industries Association” (AIVIA) in 1934 and Dr. J. C. Kumarappa gave shape to Gandhian concept of Rural Economy. The idea behind the centre was to establish a place, which could act as a centre for transfer of technology and be a bridge between the portals of National Laboratories and doors of the Rural Mud Huts. Vision and Mission of Centre of Science for Villages:

• To work towards a holistic and futuristic development of the small community based decentralized village economy.
• To develop and demonstrate appropriate rural technologies which are ecologically sound, economically viable and socially just.
• To develop the villages and arrest the erosion of its talents by promoting rural non-farm activities.
• To promote interaction between S & T Labs & village mud huts, to enable the scientists to interact with the rural realities and learn from the accumulated knowledge in the village tradition.
• To provide a forum to rural innovation with specialists and experts in science and technology, to provide them with necessary S & T inputs to optimize their innovated processes and products.
• To collect and document scientific and technological information for rural areas, by establishing a good database and information system and disseminate the same through publications.
• To undertake adaptive R & D to mould the available technology according to the local condition and skill level and Train people who could take it to the villages.

Since last three decades CSV is working on Rural Technologies, specially doing

• Research
• Field Trials
• Field Extension
• Networking
• Training
• Publications and
• Policy Intervention

CSV works to salvage traditional sciences through appropriate technology transfer and introduction of practical and innovative scientific products for rural areas that benefit both the people and the environment. The two campuses of CSV at Kumarappapuram and Dattapur in Wardha organise a wide variety of activities exhibiting the application of alternate technologies for rural areas both through models as well as through hands on practices in their own facilities. At these locations, CSV also provides training to artisans, Self Help Groups, micro-entrepreneurs and development practitioners on alternate technologies. Key areas ofwork of the organisation are ---

Rural Housing	Mud House Bamboo House
Sanitation	Leach Pit Toilet Biogas Agro waste Stove Vermi Composing NADEP Composting
Liquid waste management	waste management Spill water Recycling Unit Soak Pit Rainwater Harvesting Unit Kitchen Gardening Water Filter for safe drinking water
Non Conventional Energy	Deen Bandhu Biogas Plant Balaji Biogas Plant Ic-Mic Cooker
Eco-Technology	Watershed Management Cover Management Organic Farming Forestry Collection and Processing Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Honey from Box and Wild Bees Gums and Resins Fibers and weeds Medicinal and Tuberous Crops Natural Dye
Rural Industries	Hand Made Paper Pottery Fabrication of tools and implements Food Processing and Herbal Medicine Processing of NTFP Natural Dying
Women Technology	Appropriate Tools for drudgery reduction Cosmetics and Toiletries

The primary goal of the centre has always been to "improve life conditions in the rural areas of India". The techniques evolved by the CSV range from mud housing technology to various methods of energy procurement and crop cultivation. CSV actively works in the areas of promoting hygiene and development of alternative approaches of local industries. These techniques are primarily based on locally available materials. They are simple to use, cost effective and environment-friendly. Training to villagers is provided in parallel, so that they can enhance their skills and transmit their experiences to others. This initiative enabled the creation of a local know-how that can be used to create opportunities of jobs, trades, etc.

Activities are planned on the basis of the Gandhian philosophy that envisioned villages as self-sufficient units. The use of these "appropriate technologies" brings freedom for villagers and helps them to lead their life with dignity.

The main campus of CSV Wardha is accessible by road and rail services. It has two campuses both on the state highway connecting Nagpur and Wardha. Both the campuses lie outside the main town of Wardha.

Feel free to interact