To provide the space technology enabled services directly to the rural population, ISRO launched the Village Resource Centers (VRCs) programmed in association with reputed NGOs/ Trusts and state/ central agencies.
473 VRCs have been set up in 22 States/Union Territories, namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim. Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and islands.
The VRCs are joined to Knowledge/Expert Centers like Agricultural Universities, Skill Development Institutes and Hospitals.
Over 6500 programmes have been conducted by the VRCs in the areas of, Agriculture/horticulture, Fisheries, Live stock, Water resources, Tele health care, Awareness programmes, Women empowerment, Supplementary education, Computer literacy, Micro credit, Micro finance, Skill development / vocational training for livelihood support etc. So far, over five Lakh of people have availed VRC services.
