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important, like sanitation in food storage and handing. This could be improved to raise health standards. In all the above, cost reduction would be a major objective. C. Low cost Housing/ Construction Are we using a double standard for urban and rural areas? When we talk of rural areas, we sing the virtues of mud bricks, renewable resources, local skills and materials. But these are not mentioned in the urban context. Is it because, this is the only way we can think of reducing costs? There is ample evidence that designs and construction techniques have a lot of scope for producing lower cost alternatives. The science and technology of composites and laminates is yet largely unexplored both in the rural and urban contexts. Even facilities like plumbing and sanitation have scope for change and cost reduction. Productivity also needs to be looked into. D. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry The Green Revolution has shown what can be done. Techniques for saving water, effective use of pesticides and fertilisers, identifying bottlenecks in the extension of existing technologies to small and marginal farmers, are all awaiting a creative look. Horticulture is poised for a "fruit and vegetable" revolution. Green house cultivation has the potential to be an "industry" within agriculture, by virtue of its high productivity, minimal use of pesticides, isolation from ecological constraints etc. This could be for agriculture, what poultry is for animal husbandry. Forestation including methods for digging pits, protection of plants in early stages, could be crucial subjects for study. Storage and preservation of food products and perishables (including fruit, milk and eggs) are important economically and we have not gone beyond traditional techniques. Rural Development Through Education System 210
