Rural Poverty

Poverty is one of the major characteristics of underdeveloped, undeveloped and developing nation. Absence of any things which we are in need of is poverty. Definition of poverty does not only mean lack of sufficient incomes but lack of many other things like education, safe drinking water, political participation and so on. Poverty is a result of social phenomenon, which is the result of social and economic inequality.  

Poverty is the condition of lacking full access to fundamental human needs such as food, shelter and safe drinking water. Poverty is a condition measured only in terms of living standard and resources of a given society at a particular time. Poverty is not only lack of basic needs but lack of anything which we need is poverty. So, poverty is not only cause by low revenue. Deforestation, intensive farming are some of the environmental factors that cause poverty. 

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Indigenous Technologies in Nepal

Indigenous people in Nepal are practicing variety of simple local technologies that have been developed from their long term traditional knowledge and experiences. The concept indigenous denotes that they are locally generated within an existing cultural and social tradition using local tools and knowledge.

In Earlier writings it has been suggested that local indigenous technologies are sustainable, practical, maintainable and equitable. The reason behind was that those technologies have the following characteristics:

v  Low capital inputs

v  Can be maintained by existing organizations

v  Closely adapted to local physical environment

v  Fit existing systems of ownership, obligation and authority

Indigenous knowledge and technologies that can be found in different sectors, such as transportation, agriculture etc. are considered as wealth of Nepal. Such technologies have helped to enhance the self-reliance of rural peoples, particularly rural farmers. 

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Local Appropriate Technology – Nepal’s Experience with both Technology

Appropriate technology is the technology that is designed with special consideration to the environmental, cultural aspects of the community. With these goals in mind, appropriate technology typically requires fewer resources. When a community solves their own problem on their own terms, they have a sense of control, and there is a strong likelihood that the solution will work with the guidance of an expert. Implemented technologies will be appropriate for their cultural values and lifestyles, will be made of materials that can be obtained locally. Building a mutual trust is the first step in the exploration of a problem. Once a trust is built, the community will be more willing to work alongside the outside workers to solve their problem in their way. When the problem is solved in a way that the community is comfortable with, there is a much greater likelihood that the technology will be used and will benefit the community.

Some more sectors where appropriate technologies have helped the rural people a lot in meeting their daily needs and provided the opportunities of income generating as well.

Some are as follows:

Electricity can be provided from solar cells, wind power or micro hydro, with energy stored in batteries. Bio diesel and straight vegetable oil can be appropriate and cheaper than fossil fuels.

Rocket stove improves fuel efficiency and reduces harmful indoor air pollution.

Appropriate technology in the context of Nepal has great significance because the country is not in a position to afford or to import high and erudite technologies. Therefore, technologies that are made of using the traditional knowledge, experiments and with the locally available resources are useful for the rural people. In Nepal, various appropriate technologies have been established and endorsed by different organizations. Some of them are: sudhariyeko chulo (improved cooking stoves (ICS), pani ghatta (watermills), biogas, solar PV systems and solar thermal energy devices such as solar dryer, solar cooker, solar water heater, passive solar heating, etc. The advantage of appropriate technology in a developing country like Nepal are manifold. Due to lack of proper infrastructure and financial constraints in investment in science and technology, it may play an important role in solving contemporary development challenges.

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