YethbarPally Village Visit for Problem Scoping

On February 27, 2025, students from KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology visited Yethbarpally village, organized by the Centre for Innovation and Social Transformation (CIST) and coordinated by faculty members Mr. B. Lingam, Dr. A. Seshappa, and Mr. M. Laxman. The visit, part of the Social Innovation Course, aimed to engage with the local community, understand their culture and livelihoods, identify challenges faced by farmers, and apply design thinking to scope innovative solutions. Students, primarily from ECE and CSE-D branches, interacted with villagers, focusing on agricultural challenges in cotton and chilli harvesting. Key issues identified included physical strain and health risks faced by farmers, such as back and knee pain from cotton harvesting and burning sensations from chilli harvesting, particularly affecting women. The visit fostered empathy, raised awareness of rural agricultural issues, and encouraged brainstorming for sustainable technological interventions. Outcomes included problem scoping, with plans for future research, prototyping, and collaboration with agricultural experts. The initiative strengthened ties between the college and the community, promoting sustainable development through social innovation.