The Rural Technology Park (RTP) under the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT) at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST)-Rukwa Campus College aims to enhance  and disseminate innovative technologies designed to improve the livelihoods of rural communities. RTP focuses on supporting innovators within and outside the MUST community financially, through mentorship and training, networking opportunities  and through incubation. 

RTP FUNCTIONS; 

i. To provide technical, managerial and constructive support to rural communities 

ii. To provide incubation services to start-up companies interested in rural technologies 

iii. To provide training to innovators and rural communities 

iv. To provide information acces points and office space for emerging entrepreneurs 

v. To develop, review and implement programmes and guidelines related to Rural Technology Park. 

vi. To provide consultancy services in liase with the directorate of internationalization and convocation unit. 

TECHNOLOGIES UNDER RURAL TECHNOLOGY PARK 

Solar-Powered Grass Cutter: A Sustainable Solution for Rural Farmers 

Maintaining farmland and clearing overgrown grass is a major challenge for rural communities, often requiring costly fuel-powered machines. The solar-powered grass cutter offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative, helping farmers manage their land efficiently without relying on expensive fuels. 

Animal Food Shredding Machine: Boosting Efficiency in Livestock Farming

 
Efficient feed preparation is essential for livestock farming, especially for small-scale farmers who need cost-effective solutions. The Animal Food Shredding Machine is designed to simplify and speed up feed processing, ensuring that farmers can provide their animals with well-prepared, easily digestible food.
 

Palm Oil Extractor Machine: Revolutionizing Rural Palm Oil Production

 
Palm oil production is a key economic activity in many rural areas, but traditional extraction methods are often labor-intensive and inefficient. The Palm Oil Extractor Machine is designed to streamline the oil extraction process, making it faster, easier, and more productive for smallholder farmers and cooperatives.
 

Pedal Clothes Washing Machine: A Sustainable Laundry Solution for Rural Communities

 
The Pedal Clothes Washing Machine is a manually operated device designed to provide anefficient and eco-friendly alternative to electric-powered washers. It is particularly beneficial for rural households where access to electricity is unreliable or unavailable.

Hybrid solar dryer

A technology solution for food drying which uses sun on sunny days  to dry food without contamination as compared to local fod drying. This dryer uses electricity to dry food on rainy days. Suitable for rural communities seeking to add value to their agricultural produce and avoid losses by drying them(especially the perishable crops).

 Four ways pesticide sprayer
 
Designed to address the challenge of manual pesticide spraying by small farmers which consumes energy and time. This sprayer has four pumps with a 30 litres tank and an adjustable pump holder which allows spraying crops of different heights. This machine is ideal to many farming rural communities to increase agricultural productivity.