Bhubaneswar: The coastal village of Kusunpur in Kendrapada district has been selected as a ‘Smart Village’ under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) initiative ‘live laboratories’, creating optimism among residents for improved livelihoods and sustainable rural development.
Kusunpur, home to 130-135 families and a population of around 730, is Odisha’s first such model village under this programme. The project, launched on March 16 at Kusunpur village of Rajnagar block, aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ and represents a mission-mode effort by the Ministry of Science and Technology to foster technology-driven rural transformation.
The CSIR has selected six villages nationwide as ‘live laboratories’ to test and implement scientific innovations through a “Lab to Land” approach. These include Bhada in Gujarat, Chumathang in Leh-Ladakh, Joharat in Assam, Janakpur in Madhya Pradesh, Sawaipura in Rajasthan, and Kusunpur in Odisha. The villages, identified in 2025 across diverse climatic regions, will serve as testing grounds for solutions in advanced agriculture, rural empowerment, nutrition, infrastructure, waste management, and technology integration.
Kendrapada Collector Raghuram R Iyer attended the inauguration event as chief guest in the presence of senior scientists including Director of CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, Ramanuj Narayan and Director of CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla.
An exhibition showcased proposed technologies from multiple CSIR laboratories, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Kusunpur was also unveiled on the occasion. A team of scientists has conducted surveys and begun engaging with villagers to assess local needs, challenges, and resources. Collaborations involve various CSIR institutions with CSIR-CBRI focusing on climate-resilient infrastructure like schools, anganwadi buildings, and community toilets; CSIR-CLRI offering training in leather products (including from fish/chicken feet) and ethnic textiles; and others addressing paddy storage, livelihoods, and sustainability. Local voluntary organization, Nature’s Club, is assisting in field studies.
Secretary Madhusmita Pati said that innovations from CSIR labs nationwide will be piloted in Kusunpur over the next three years, with successful models potentially replicated elsewhere.
CSIR-IMMT Director Ramanuj Narayan explained the choice of Kusunpur due to its unique geography, proximity to forests, rivers, and the sea, making it ideal for tailored interventions. He stressed that a “smart village” extends beyond digital tools to encompass knowledge-building, skill development, education for children and women, and economic empowerment.
Iyer noted that CSIR’s network of 16 specialised laboratories spanning agriculture to livelihoods, with farmer training programme is set to start soon. Additional efforts will include waste recycling, plastic-free campaigns, and awareness drives, he informed.