Ecotechnology is an applied science that addresses the issues of sustainable development through a process of integrating various disciplines. The process is human centric and aims for improving the socio-economic standards of the community through appropriate environment friendly technologies which are both efficient and adapted to local conditions. Within MSSRF, the term Ecotechnology connotes application of environmentally, socially and economically sustainable frontier technologies combined with traditional technologies springing from the ecological ethics and wisdom of tribal and rural communities for improving livelihood options.

JRD Tata Ecotechnology Centre was established in April 1996, with the financial support of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. The purpose was for generating and extending new knowledge and practices of technologies, which help in operationalising the concept of sustainable rural development at community/ farm and household level with a focus on ecological sustainability, economic viability, employment generation, energy efficiency, and social and gender equity. The major goals were identified as seeking remedies to environmental degradation; potential adverse in climate and sea level rise; endemic hunger and extensive human deprivation; feminisation of poverty; pressures on the carrying capacity of the ecosystem and jobless economic growth.

The strategies and approaches adopted by the Centre for strengthening the process of sustainable development reflect, the adaptive participatory research and development process based on local requirements and involves community mobilisation, training and capacity building, promoting and strengthening community based institutions, encouraging partnership and networking, and gender mainstreaming. System management and role change have been the processes through which the Centre facilitates improvement in livelihood options of the community.

Biovillage Paradigm is the broader framework, within which ecotechnology is practiced at grass-root level by Centre for developing region specific models.