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Organisation Rural Agency for Social and Technological Advancement (RASTA)
Country India
last update: 06/02/2006
Address Kambalakkad P.O, Kalpetta , 673121 , Wayanad  
Email rasta_k@satyam.net.in
Telephone +91 (0)4936 286725
Fax + 91 (0)493-202094
Mandate Extension/public awareness
Scope 2. Sub-national
Type Civil Society ('Not-for-Profit')
Summary RASTA is an NGO dedicated to enable marginalized people of Wayanad District,S.India to be more self-reliant. Activies focus on sustainable agriculture, natural resources, income-generation of 300.000 women, children, indigenous communities and farmers.
Description  RASTA is an NGO dedicated to enable marginalized people of Wayanad District,S.India to be more self-reliant. Activies focus on sustainable agriculture, natural resources, income-generation of 300.000 women, children, indigenous communities and farmers.

RASTA began in 1987 as a social delivery organization, more as clearinghouse for implementing projects of welfare nature. This was not intentional but to make inroads and learn from the community. Gradually, it shifted its role by securing the participation of the community by promoting people based institutions. As a growing organization, Organizational Renewal Process was carried out. This helped to give it clarity and strategize its goals with new vision. As an outcome, the dynamics of project implementation changed drastically departing from the past.Participatory Methodologies were introduced systematically; there was a paradigm shift of project's implementation style. Decentralisation took place. Projects were planned, implemented, and monitored by the community. With the adoption of participatory methodologies there was horizontal growth in the field, while new heights were scaled with the organization’s vertical growth.Over the last 20 years, RASTA has capitalised on the learning’s. This provided opportunities for expanding borders of its activities. It has evolved from traditional voluntary agency to a growing Institution, providing a broad spectrum of developmental activities through organisational development. It is seen as a logical extension of its services. The new role has brought greater responsibility to be responsive to the fast changing external environment. RASTA is also selected as a Facilitation centre for government of India to generate and undertake need-based proposals at village level through committed grassroot level Civil Society Organisations. RASTA is providing services to the local self government under decentralised planning on need based proposal development, feasibiity studies, monitoring and evaluation in various sectors.

BACKGROUND: The organisation started as a replication of the National organisation called SWRC Tilonia, Rajasthan, North India in 1984. The founder members had worked there and returned to the home state Kerala S. india to share their experience and translate this into action in this backward district. After getting credibility it was registered as a separate organisation as RASTA in 1987.

MISSION :The organization has established the goal of forming a more just society through social and economic development of the rural populace, especially small and marginal farmers, women, and tribal peoples. This is achieved through establishment of a people based network, which through coordinated outreach, dissemination of information, and introduction of people friendly technologies promotes democratic and sustainable community development.

OBJECTIVES: (1)Empowerment and enabling of the marginalized people of Wayanad Dist to be more self-reliant.(2)Promotion and Development of ecologically and socially appropriate technologies to improve the quality of life of the women and farmers(3)To complement and synergise Governmental efforts for rural change(4)To enable local communities to attain improved livelihood through sustainable use of Natural Resources(5)To enable local communities to tackle emerging health concerns.(6)To attract educated youth into the field of Rural Development.

ACTIVITIES: Natural Resource Management:-Soil and Water Conservation Activities-· Formation and Strengthening of Farmers groups- Promotion of LEISA and Organic Farming-Training and direct field support to farmers-· Participatory Technology Development for Sustainable Agriculture-· Watershed development-Consultancy in farm planning-· Hygienic Cattle shed and Fodder development-Credit support for capital mobilisation**Women Empowerment:-Formation and strengthening of Self Help Groups-Income and Employment Generation-Skill trainings -Bank linkages for entrepreneurship development -Gender sensitization among men and women-Campaign against atrocities on women**Environment and Ecology:-· Training and awareness campaigns at community leveL-· Conservation and propagation of traditional seeds Medicinal plants, Vegetables and Trees-· Environment education to School Children and Youths-· Advocacy and lobbying for environmental friendly policies**Research, Documentation and Extension:-· Batchfed Biogas systems and alternative Feedstock-· Solar photovoltaic system for decentralized power-· Usage of Bio-fertilizers and Bio-pesticides-· Composting techniques of different biomass-· Integrated Pest and disease Management-Action research in traditional farming practices-Impact of unsustainable practices on the ecosystems

REACH : RASTA works with rural poor women( dalits, tribals, minorities and marginalsied) and resource poor farmers in two districts namely Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.Wayanad is one of the 90 most backward district and is hilly (2000 to 7000 feet msl). The organisation directly works with 30,000 house holds and indirectly work for 300,000 people. It has formed more than 1000 Self Help Groups of women covering 15,000 families. Strong people based organisations are the base of the organsiation.
1.1 Socio- economic Sector (OECD) 311 Agriculture
332 Tourism
420 Women in development (WID)
1.2 Institutional dimension Social- livelihood systems/ Gender
1.3 Natural dimension Land/Soils
Water
Telesupport Themes IPM
Livestock
Post-harvest
Soil fertility
Relation Organisation Country
Member of Network organisation details TeleSupport Network India
Expert Function(s) Country
person details Mr. C.P. Aneesh (RASTA, TeleSupport) (Staff) member India
person details Mr. Anoop (RASTA, TeleSupport) (Staff) member India
person details Mr. Danesh (RASTA, TeleSupport) (Staff) member India
person details Miss. Jithya Danesh (RASTA, TeleSupport) (Staff) member India
person details Shibu (RASTA, TeleSupport) (Staff) member India
person details Mr. Danesh Kumar (RASTA, TeleSupport) Head of Department India
person details Mr. C.K Vishnudas (RASTA) Head of Department India
person details Mr. C.K Vishnudas (RASTA, TeleSupport) Head of Department India
person details Ms. Omana Thakarprambil (RASTA, TeleSupport) (Exec.) Director India
Role Type Title Available
Publisher Book / Book chapter output details Composting: The lost Art of Green Revolution  
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Bio control agents for pepper cultivation  
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Azolla as a substitute for N fetiliser 315kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Vermi compost 269kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Quick wilt in black pepper - Biological control with Trichoderma -Malayalam 49kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Controlling Leaf folder using Muram seive- Malayalam  
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Azolla as a cattle feed-Description Malayalam 34kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Cowdung fermentation process- Malayalam 40kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details How to make vermi compost at your farm -Description Malayalam 34kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Azolla Cultivation - Malayalam Brochure - Page 2 96kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Vermi compost - Malayalam brochure - Page 2 69kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Watershed management  
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Controlling leaf folder in Rice using Kerosine Rope- Malayalam 44kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Pre-digestion of Arecahusk for composting -Description Malayalam 50kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Coirpith Composting Method -Malayalam 45kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details VAM application for raising good quality planting materials of black pepper-Malayalam 42kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Azolla cultivation - Malayalam Brochure - Page 1 68kb
Publisher Extension leaflet, brochure, policy brief or poster output details Vermi compost - Malayalam Brochure - Page 1 39kb
Publisher Manual or guideline output details System Of Rice Intensification (SRI) Experience of RASTA in Wayanad  
Publisher Manual or guideline output details Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom  
Publisher Manual or guideline output details Madagaskar Nelkrishi (System of Rice Intensification)  
Publisher Media presentation (video, TV, radio, interview) output details NADEP Composting (Video English) 6,527kb
Publisher Media presentation (video, TV, radio, interview) output details Azolla cultivation in temporary tanks (video English ) 3,984kb
Publisher Media presentation (video, TV, radio, interview) output details Azolla cultivation in temporary tanks (video Malayalam) 3,984kb
Publisher Media presentation (video, TV, radio, interview) output details Panchagavya - An excellent plant growth promotor-(Video English) 3,231kb
Author Organisation Media presentation (video, TV, radio, interview) output details Seed Exchange Mela-Video Malayalam 5,848kb