The Venus burner was developed by Sri V. Thiagarajan, a highly experienced engineer from Chennai. It is a novel energy-efficient burner for kerosene stoves and features an improved design. Tested and appreciated by the Central Scientific
Instruments Organisation (CSIO) and Anna University, the Venus burner offers numerous benefits. It delivers 37% savings in kerosene consumption, lasts longer, is safer to use, makes less noise and is easy to maintain. With so many benefits to
offer, the Venus burner has caught the imagination of the manufacturers of kerosene stoves and burners.

RIN provided market research, market development and marketing services to the Venus burner.

Bio Asthira is one of the products made by Sri K M Chellamuthu, an agri labourer of Oonjalur village in Erode district, Tamilnadu. Of the various products made, the herbal pesticide is an innovation recognized and awarded by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF). It enjoys a good reputation in and around Erode. Bio Asthira gives paddy and turmeric farmers a less expensive, fully natural, eco-friendly solution to their pest management problems. What is more, the herbal pesticide also delivers increases in yield. In sum, it is an excellent formulation for natural farming.

As with the rain gun, RIN provided a range of services including product testing, market research, market development, marketing and business planning. The efforts concluded with the facilitation of a marketing arrangement between K M Chellamuthu and JS Traders, a Battalagundu-based company promoted by people with expertise and rich experience in marketing agro chemicals.

The Stem Injector was developed by Sri Manoharan of Battalagundu, a lathe owner of Tamil Nadu. It is similar to a syringe and injects pesticides into the pseudo-stem of the diseased banana, thus providing assured relief from stem borer, wilt and weevil attack. It helps to manage indiscriminate pesticide application in banana leading to a 20% cost saving. The injector incorporates a feature that allows varying dosages to be applied, depending on the age of the banana. Women too can easily
operate the injector that is built to last. Labor involved in applying the pesticide does not suffer from exposure to pesticide, a major health hazard where pesticide spraying is the norm.

RIN provided product development, market research, marketing, market development, working capital and business planning support to the innovator. These services helped in vitalizing the innovation and culminated in a marketing agreement between Manoharan and JS Traders.

Sri Palanivelu, a siddha vaidya of Arasangudi in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu, developed this herbal hair oil that prevents premature graying, controls split ends and keeps the scalp cool. In addition to the hair oil, Sri Palanivelu makes a variety of formulations and medicines for common ailments.

RIN evolved an appropriate business model for the hair oil. At the same time, provision of various business development services (including business planning, packaging improvements and marketing) yielded encouraging results.

VIP Bio Products is a company based in Madurai, Tamilnadu. It deals with two different products, one developed for poultry and the other, for the aqua sector. Both innovations have been developed by Dr. Vasanthi Palaniappan, a PhD holder in animal sciences. The products are handled by VIP Bio Enterprise, run by Sri S. Palaniappan.

Growmax Aqua Feed Supplement is a unique and synergistic blend of herbs. The blend acts as an immunomodulator and natural performance enhancer, thereby realizing the growth potential. It is used for shrimp farming and helps increase the survival rate, achieve decreased DOC, reduces vibrio numbers and improves FCR.

Respvent Herbal Poultry Feed Supplement helps to prevent occurrence of respiratory tract related disorders, and thus contributes to weight gain, low mortality, decreased FCR in chicken. It is highly cost effective.

RIN undertook market research studies and developed a marketing strategy for VIP Bio-Products. In addition, RIN extended product testing, business planning services and market development support to increase awareness.

Deepasakthi Pooja Oil is made by K P Castor Oil Works, a company that has been in existence for more than 50 years and is a market leader in branded castor oil in Coimbatore market. Deepasakthi oil is made by blending 5 different oils in the ratio
prescribed in Indian shastras (texts).

The oil produces a bright flame. Remarkably, it produces almost no soot. In addition, the fumes produced repel disease-producing bacteria and the fragrance gives divine peace to the mind and body. The company also deals in other oils like Neem, Mahua and Rose Water. All the products are available across all retail stores in Coimbatore.

RIN undertook market research and identified strategies aimed at developing markets and increasing sales. RIN also handholds the company in the organization of promotional activities, such as participation in local fairs and exhibitions.

Motek India located at Bhilai in Chattisgarh, is a firm owned by Mr.Satish Deb. In 1999 Satish developed a kit which held considerable promise for the treadle (letter) presses of the country, estimated to number around 1.50 lakhs. The innovation helps the treadle press make use of DTP output in place of the traditional letter types, thus substantially improving the print quality. Priced very attractively, the product also lends versatility to the treadle presses with the facility of printing on polythene material and hardboard sheets.

RIN is enabling Motek India to commercialise this innovation through appropriate technology and marketing tie-ups.