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.