The Rural Appropriate Technology Centre (RATC) of the Council has been involved in research and development activities in order to evolve technology to suit rural needs. In view of scarcity and increasing cost of fossil fuel, inadequate and undependable supply of electricity, it had become necessary to devise ways and means of efficient utilization of human and animal energy which are available in plenty.
The aim of research and development has been in this direction, and also to ensure that the drudgery involved in the traditional methods is reduced to the minimum possible. A special bicycle attachment and portable pedal power device were evolved, and their compatibility to operate a variety of agricultural and small industrial machines was tested successfully.
This programme was initiated by Dr. Job S. Ebenezer, Executive Director of the appropriate Rural – Technology Association, Inc., Los Lunas, New Mexico, U.S.A.,

Originally, the work was concentrated in developing human energy along with limited work on Solar and Wind energy Development. As a result, bicycle pedal power attachment and small agricultural and industrial machines that could be operated with such attachments on the Bicycle were developed and popularized among rural people.
Research and development were also initiated on innovative uses of animal energy in agricultural processing and small industries. In the process a circular animal treadmill developed and fabricated. The treadmill consisted of a set of gear systems that could be operated by animals moving slowly along a circular path as a result of which a variety of small agricultural equipments and industrial machines could be operated. Its compatibility to operate paddy threshers was tested and found to be satisfactory. A Plunger pump, simple and cheap, which could be operated by this animal treadmill, was also developed.
A Persian wheel or Bucket pump normally used in Hosur area was procured and the gear system which was rather crude improved upon.
A hand operated briquette press was also fabricated. With this press, briquettes of agricultural and forest wastes, waste paper, saw dust etc.,could be made, dried and used for cooking purposes. A stove suitable to utilize the type of briquettes that could be made with this press was also developed.